scents the damp gully stream edges

Size
Height: 20–40 cm
Lifespan
3–5 years
Diet
Not applicable (herb). Photosynthetic.
Habitat
Damp ground, stream banks, wetlands and forest margins. Prefers moist, fertile soils with partial shade. Often found in damp gullies and along stream edges. Tolerates seasonal flooding.
Range
Throughout New Zealand from Northland to Stewart Island. Most common in lowland and coastal areas. Also found in Australia and the Chatham Islands.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Habitat loss from wetland drainage is the primary threat. Competition from introduced weeds. Climate change affecting wetland habitats. Protection of wetlands is important for survival.
Population
Populations are considered stable but localised. The species is less common than introduced mints. It is threatened by habitat loss and competition from aggressive introduced mint species.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
native herb, aromatic leaves safe to handle
Conservation Note
Endemic herb; widespread in damp forests and shaded habitats throughout New Zealand.
Assessment
NZTCS Vascular Plants (2023)
Te Ao Māori
In Māori tradition, native mint was used as a medicinal herb. The leaves were made into a tea for stomach ailments, colds and fevers. The refreshing taste was also enjoyed as a beverage. The name Pepi means baby or infant. This possibly refers to its mild, gentle flavour compared to stronger introduced mints. It was a plant of the damp places. It was gathered by those who knew its soothing properties.
New Zealand’s only indigenous mint offers a milder, sweeter flavour than its introduced cousins. The leaves are opposite and oval-shaped with a soft, slightly hairy texture. Crush one and the aroma is pleasant but restrained. It does not shout. European mints scream; this one whispers. The flowers are small and pale purple. They appear in summer, blooming sporadically throughout the growing season. The plant spreads by runners, forming small colonies in moist soil. It is less aggressive than garden mint. This makes it easy to overlook in the wild. It does not demand attention. It simply occupies the damp margins where it belongs. Native mint prefers damp, shady conditions. It grows along stream banks, in damp gullies, and at the edges of wetlands. It tolerates seasonal flooding but cannot survive prolonged drought. The creeping runners allow it to spread slowly. Patches can persist for many years if left undisturbed. Water is the requirement. Shade is the preference. The species is less common than introduced mints such as peppermint and spearmint. These have escaped from gardens and become naturalised. Native mint is easily outcompeted by these more aggressive species. It is also threatened by drainage of wetlands and the conversion of damp ground to pasture or urban development. The quiet places are disappearing. To find native mint is to search the damp margins of streams and wetlands. It is small and unassuming. It is easily mistaken for a weed. But the mild, sweet scent gives it away. Crush a leaf between your fingers and smell. That is the scent of New Zealand’s only native mint. A quiet survivor in the wet places. It keeps going.