Sparkling mint-bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sparkling mint-bush |
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| Prostanthera rhombea near Lithgow | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Prostanthera
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| Species: |
rhombea
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The sparkling mint-bush (also known as Prostanthera rhombea) is a special plant. It belongs to the mint family, called Lamiaceae. You can only find it in certain parts of south-eastern Australia. This plant is a shrub that grows with many branches. Its branches smell very strong, like mint! It has round or heart-shaped leaves and pretty flowers that are often purple or blue.
What Does the Sparkling Mint-Bush Look Like?
The sparkling mint-bush is a shrub with many open branches. It usually grows to be about 0.5–2 m (1 ft 8 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall. Its branches have a strong, minty smell. They are also covered in tiny, sticky hairs called glandular hairs.
The leaves of this plant are mostly round or shaped like a wide heart. Their edges often curl downwards. Each leaf is about 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) long and 2–5.5 mm (0.079–0.217 in) wide. They sit on a small stalk, called a petiole, which is about 0.3–1 mm (0.012–0.039 in) long. The leaves also have those sticky glandular hairs and tiny glands that sit directly on the surface.
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stems. They are found near the ends of the branches. Small leaf-like parts, called bracteoles, are at the base of each flower. These are about 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long. The sepals, which protect the flower bud, are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long. They form a tube about 1.4–2 mm (0.055–0.079 in) long with two top parts. The upper part is about 2 mm (0.079 in) long. The petals are 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long and are usually a lovely mauve or bluish color. Sometimes, their tips are white.
Who Discovered This Plant?
The sparkling mint-bush was first officially described in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown wrote about it. He included it in his important book, Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
Where Does the Sparkling Mint-Bush Grow?
You can find the sparkling mint-bush growing in rainforests and forests. It often likes to grow in gullies or close to streams. In New South Wales, it mainly grows from Port Macquarie down to the Nepean River.
In Victoria, it grows in three separate areas. These areas are near Licola, Mount Timbertop near Mansfield, and Mount Buffalo. In these places, it prefers low heath and woodlands, especially in rocky spots.
