Ποταμοείτονας, Ποταμοΐτανος, Μέντα μακρύφυλλη υποείδος η κυπριακή
Etymology of Mentha longifolia subspecies cyprica
The name of the genus, "Mentha", derives from Ancient Greek; it was called "μίνθη'' [minthe] or "μίνθα" [mintha] or "μίνθος" [minthos]. The word is probably of pre-Greek origin, as it appears in Mycenaean Greek. "Longifolia" is Latin, from "longus" meaning "long" and "folia" meaning "leaf", referring to its lengthy leaves. It is called "cyprica" because it is an endemic plant of Cyprus - it was first recorded in Cyprus.
Taxonomy & Botany of Mentha longifolia subspecies cyprica
Mentha longifolia subsp. cyprica (Heinr. Braun) Harley is a Cypriot endemic mint within the Lamiaceae family. It is also known locally as Cyprus Horse Mint or Ποταμοείτανος. This subspecies belongs to a group of mints with long leaves distinctive enough to earn it the epithet "longifolia", while "cyprica" signifies its restricted, native presence in Cyprus.
Morphological Characteristics
This plant is a perennial herb with creeping rhizomes and can reach up to 120 cm in height. The stems are erect and square at the base. The young shoots are hairless, while older segments are densely covered with fine, soft hairs. The leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate, and feature grey-green hairs on the upper surface and whitish hairs beneath. Their margins are irregularly serrate and often upturned, with a cordate (heart-shaped) base. The flowers are zygomorphic and hermaphroditic, arranged densely in whorls along branched, terminal spikes. Flower structures include narrowly lanceolate, hairy bracts; a campanulate, two-lipped calyx with five acute, hairy teeth; and a two-lipped corolla, usually white or lilac—glabrous inside and hairy outside.
Overview of its presence in Cyprus
Mentha longifolia subspecies cyprica is very similar to the spicata species, but this one's leaves are much longer. It is encountered all around the island, by the rivers and streams, except for the northeastern and southeastern Cyprus, at an altitude of 50-1650 metres. Its flowering period is between June and November.
Key Identification Characteristics of Mentha longifolia ssp. cyprica
- Leaves: Oblong-lanceolate, 2.5–7 cm long, 0.7–2 cm wide.
- Hairs: Densely covered with fine, greyish-green hairs on the upper surface, whitish-green hairs on the underside.
- Margins: Irregularly serrated.
- Stem: Erect, four-angled, often densely hairy.
- Inflorescence: Dense, multi-flowered terminal spikes.
- Aroma: Characterized by the presence of pulegone.
- Endemicity: Endemic to Cyprus.
