Oval-leaf mintbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oval-leaf mintbush |
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| Prostanthera ovalifolia at Eastwood, New South Wales | |
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Prostanthera
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| Species: |
ovalifolia
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
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The Oval-leaf mintbush (scientific name: Prostanthera ovalifolia) is a beautiful flowering plant. People also call it the purple mintbush. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes mint plants. This shrub grows naturally only in south-eastern Australia. It has egg-shaped leaves and lovely mauve to deep blue-purple flowers. These flowers grow in clusters at the tips of its branches.
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Discovering the Oval-leaf Mintbush
The Oval-leaf mintbush is a shrub that stands upright and can spread out. It usually grows between 1 and 4 meters (about 3 to 13 feet) tall. Its stems are a bit square-shaped and have some hairs on them.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant look like an egg. They are a lighter green color on their underside. Each leaf can be from 5 to 50 millimeters (about 0.2 to 2 inches) long and 3 to 12 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.5 inches) wide. They grow on a small stalk called a petiole, which is 1 to 6 millimeters long.
The flowers grow in groups at the ends of the branches. Each flower has small leaf-like parts called bracteoles, which are about 1 to 2 millimeters long. These fall off as the flower grows. The sepals, which protect the flower bud, are 2 to 3.5 millimeters long. They form a tube with two lobes.
The petals are a pretty mauve to deep blue-purple color. They are joined together to form a tube that is 6 to 18 millimeters long. You can usually see these flowers blooming from August to November.
Plant History: How it Got its Name
The Oval-leaf mintbush was first officially described in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown gave it its scientific name, Prostanthera ovalifolia. He wrote about it in his book called Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
Where the Mintbush Grows Naturally
This mintbush is very common in forests in south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales, Australia. It especially likes to grow on sandstone. Sometimes, it also grows in the eastern part of Victoria, even though it wasn't originally from there. When a plant starts growing in a new area on its own, we say it has become "naturalised."
Growing Oval-leaf Mintbush in Gardens
Many people like to grow the Oval-leaf mintbush in their gardens. It usually grows to about 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) tall when cultivated. It grows best in soil that drains water well. It also likes a spot where it gets some protection from the strong summer sun. To keep its nice bushy shape, it's a good idea to trim it back by about one-third after it flowers.
See also
In Spanish: Prostanthera ovalifolia para niños
