New Zealand's only indigenous mint has a milder, sweeter flavour than introduced mints. The leaves can be used fresh or dried for tea, sauces and desserts. It grows in damp, shaded areas and spreads by runners, forming small colonies in moist soil. It is less aggressive than garden mint and is easily overlooked in the wild. The leaves are opposite, oval-shaped, and have a soft, slightly hairy texture. When crushed, they release a pleasant, minty aroma that is milder than European mints. The flowers are small and pale purple, appearing in summer. The plant blooms sporadically throughout the growing season. 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, forming patches that can persist for many years. The species is less common than introduced mints such as peppermint and spearmint, which 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. To find native mint is to search the damp margins of streams and wetlands. It is small and unassuming, 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.