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Mints (Mentha species)

Neither Lovell or Pellett have much description in their books on honey plants about mints except to say that it is a valuable honey plant in areas where grown.  Pellett mentions spearmint Mentha spicata growing in abundance in Sacramento County, California and describes the honey as amber colored.   Peppermint Mentha piperita is described as growing in the muck soils of southern Michigan and northern Indiana.  Lovell describes the area as Massachusetts, New York and Ohio and Michigan.   The most complete listing of distribution sites came from the Iowa Geological Survey completed in 1930 which was a long time ago.   That report listed Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.    The Canadian book Pollen grains of Canadian honey plants  indicate that the plant Mentha spicata L. is found from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and bloom from July to August.

Many mints are now found growing wild and have hybridized.  Many gardeners started various kinds of mints (over 600 varieties) and these have also naturalized themselves.  Mints spread rapidly because of their invasive root system.   They  grow in all areas of the United States as herb plants.  Bees are highly attracted to the blooming plants.  A beekeeper located close to railroad right of ways and isolated abandoned field may be surprised to get quite a bit of nectar from these plants.

Description of nectar

The  honey is amber and has a slightly aromatic flavor.   

Description of Mint Family

These plants are members of the Lamiaceae family.  This family includes a number of valuable nectar plants visited by honey bees.  These include Horehound, Hyssop, Catnip, Henbit, Hedge Nettle,  horse mint, bergamont and the sages.

Description of pollen grain

Pollen grains of this family are spherical and display a number of surface textures.  

This is an example of pollen grains from  Iowa Geological Survey   published in 1930.  It is an excellent resource book.