Wild Mint
Mentha arvensis L. / Mentha canadensis L.
Lamiaceae
Image
Wild mint growing at Copper kettle, Photo credit: J. Dolan 2022
Names and Their Meanings
Wild Mint - Mentha arvensis
Kanienʼkéha
ye’tonhkwanóhstáhkwa, ie'tonhkwanohstáhkwa', kanóhstha
Anishinaabemowin
namewack, aandek-bagoohnsean
French
Menthe des champs (M. arvensis), Menthe du Canada (M. canadensis)
Wild Mint
Description
Elder Brian Peltier from Wikwemikong described mint as sturgeon medicine to Dr. Dolan in their conversations during the years 2020-21. Indeed, F. W. Waugh recorded in his journal early 20th Century, over 100 years earlier, knowledge from residents of Manitoulin Island that in the springtime you can take some spearmint from your pocket and put a little above the prongs of your fishing spear. The strugeon smell it and come, and this is why it's called sturgeon medicine.
Conservation Status
In Ontario S5 (Secure), in Quebec S4 (Apparently Secure)