gingermint, Mentha x gracilis

Some mints are kind of creepy. Gingermint is a hybrid of M. arvensis and M. spicata, sort of a super spearmint. It is a sterile hybrid, not producing seed. How then has it been collected from the wild in AR, CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WI, WV, AB, BC, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, and QC? It is said to spread from fertile fragments that get scattered. It starts in commercial agriculture as the source of spearmint oil for flavorings. Wild, gingermint is mostly found along shores of lakes and streams, so water must play a role. But that many fragments of gingermint, hanging out live in our environment until they can root? Sounds kind of creepy. Beal Gardens, MSU, 7/27/11. Mint family, Lamiaceae.