Taxonomic Analysis of Herbarium Material by Gas Chromatography

Abstract

IN the recent investigation into the taxonomy of the spicate mints, cytogenetic and biometric investigations suggested that a redefinition of the species limits is necessary (R. M. Harley, in the press). One of these species, Mentha spicata L., the spearmint, is of commercial importance, as are many of its hybrids. The above work indicated that this species is a segmental allopolyploid derived from the diploid species Mentha suaveolens Ehrh (=M. rotundifolia auct.) and M. longifolia (L.) Huds. Because of the long history of cultivation mainly by vegetative propagation, and the ease with which hybrids are formed, the origins of the many cultivated forms are obscure, and because of the great morphological variability of M. spicata and its hybrids, such characters are not always sufficient by themselves for correct identification.