Prostanthera phylicifolia

Prostanthera phylicifolia, commonly known as spiked mint-bush,[2] is a species of plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is an erect shrub with four-ridged branches, narrow egg-shaped to oval leaves and white or pale lilac-coloured flowers with purple and yellow spots.

Spiked mint-bush
In Deua National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Prostanthera
Species:
P. phylicifolia
Binomial name
Prostanthera phylicifolia
Occurrence data from AVH

Description

Prostanthera phylicifolia is an erect, compact to spreading shrub that typically grows to a height of 0.5–2 m (1 ft 8 in–6 ft 7 in) and has four-ridged, slightly aromatic branches. The leaves are narrow egg-shaped to oval, 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long and 1.5–4 mm (0.059–0.157 in) wide on a petiole up to 1 mm (0.039 in) long. The flowers are arranged near the ends of the branchlets with bracteoles 2.5 mm (0.098 in) long at the base. The sepals are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long forming a tube 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long with two lobes, the upper lobe 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) long. The petals are 12–15 mm (0.47–0.59 in) long and white to pale lilac with purple spots inside the tube and yellow spots on the lower lobe.[2][3]

Taxonomy

Prostanthera phylicifolia was first formally described by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1858 in his book Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[4][5]

Distribution and habitat

This species occurs on hillsides and granite outcrops in heath and woodland in south-eastern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and north-eastern Victoria. [2][3] In Queensland, the specimen Prostanthera sp. 'Minyon Falls' (J.B.Williams NE61356) I.Telford is included in P. phylicifolia.[6]

Use in horticulture

Prostanthera 'Poorinda Snow Queen' and 'Poorinda Ballerina', hybrid crosses of P. lasianthos and P. phylicifolia, are cultivated.[7][8]

References
  1. "Prostanthera phylicifolia". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. Conn, Barry J. "Prostanthera phylicifolia". Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  3. "Prostanthera phylicifolia". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
  4. "Prostanthera phylicifolia". APNI. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  5. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1858). Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. p. 19. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  6. "Prostanthera sp. 'Minyon Falls' (J.B.Williams NE61356) I.Telford". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  7. "Prostanthera 'Poorinda Snow Queen'". RHS Horticultural Databse. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  8. Greig, D. (1987). The Australian Gardener's Wildflower Catalogue. Australia: Angus & Robertson. ISBN 0207154600.
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