Prostanthera prunelloides facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prostanthera prunelloides |
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| Near the Yadboro River | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prostanthera
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| Species: |
prunelloides
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Prostanthera prunelloides is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes mint plants! This shrub is found only in eastern New South Wales, Australia. It has branches with four ridges, leaves shaped like eggs or circles, and pretty white or pale purple flowers.
What it Looks Like
Prostanthera prunelloides is a shrub that grows upright or spreads out. It usually reaches a height of about 1.5 to 2 meters (about 5 to 6.5 feet). Its branches have four distinct ridges and smell a little bit like mint.
The leaves of this plant are shaped like eggs or circles. They are about 16 to 65 millimeters (0.6 to 2.5 inches) long. The leaves are also about 9 to 40 millimeters (0.3 to 1.5 inches) wide. Each leaf has a small stalk, called a petiole, which is 3 to 14 millimeters long.
The flowers grow in groups at the ends of the branches. Each flower has tiny leaf-like parts called bracteoles at its base. These bracteoles are about 2.5 millimeters long and fall off as the flower grows.
The green parts that protect the flower bud are called sepals. They are 5 to 6.5 millimeters long and form a tube. This tube is about 3 to 3.5 millimeters long and has two parts, or lobes. The top lobe is 2 to 3 millimeters long. The actual flower petals are white to pale purple. They are quite noticeable, measuring 12 to 15 millimeters long.
Naming the Plant
The plant Prostanthera prunelloides was officially named in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown gave it this name. He wrote about it in his important book, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
Where it Grows
This special mintbush grows in forests and woodlands. You can often find it near creeks. It lives along the coast and in the tablelands of New South Wales. Its range stretches from Murwillumbah in the north down to the Budawang Range in the south.
