Spearmint Mentha spicata

There are several varieties if mint, both wild and domesticated. Most have sharply serrated leaves and clusters of tiny purple flowers. The type pictured here is spearmint, so called because its flowers grow on spear-like stalks. the flowers on Wild Mint (Mentha arvensis) are found at the base of the leaves. Mint usually grows in dense clusters which return each year to grow larger and larger, and it spreads rapidly. If you run in to any problems trying to identifying a plant which you think might be mint, there's always one sure-fire test; pick one of the leaves, crush them, and smell them. If it's mint, there will be no mistaking the clean, sharp fragrance.