spice or flavor-producing plant mint plant Mentha spp. Mentha L. Mentha Mentha is a genus of plants in the family *Lamiaceae* (mint family). It is estimated that 13 to 18 species exist, and the exact distinction between species is still unclear. Hybridization between some of the species occurs naturally. The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual herbs. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentha] PLANTS:MENTH mentha spp. requires discussion