Botanical Name
Mentha australis
Common Name
River Mint
Description
River Mint is Australia’s native mint species, offering intense aromatic qualities and valuable bush tucker applications. This spreading perennial herb produces small purple flowers and distinctive mint-scented leaves that are excellent for teas, culinary seasoning, and traditional medicine. The creeping habit creates effective groundcover in moist areas while providing continuous harvests of fresh mint leaves. Thriving in wet soils and waterlogged conditions where other herbs struggle, it’s perfect for bog gardens, pond edges, and natural water features. This hardy native mint requires minimal care once established and provides authentic Australian flavors for bush tucker cuisine.
Plant Category
Bush Foods
Size (H x W)
Height: 10-50cm, Spread: 50cm-1 meter
Mentha australis naturally occurs along creek banks, wetlands, and marshy areas across eastern and southeastern Australia, thriving in consistently moist to waterlogged soils with full sun to partial shade.
Cultural SIgnificance
Traditionally used by Aboriginal peoples for its medicinal properties and aromatic qualities, with the leaves being used to treat digestive ailments and respiratory conditions, and valued for their refreshing mint flavor.
Kuranga respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people, as the custodians of this land. We pay respect to all Aboriginal community Elders, past and present, who have resided in the area and have been an integral part of the history of the region.
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