Prostanthera lasianthos
Lamiaceae
Common
This Mint Bush is a small tree growing to 5 m tall, rarely up to 10 m. The opposite, narrow leaves, 3‒12 cm long, are dark green above and paler below. The tip of the leaf is a fine point and there are usually several small teeth along the leaf edge. Crushed leaves have a distinctive ‘mint bush’ smell.
The white, funnel-shaped flowers have spreading lower lobes and mauve spots in the throat; flowering plants are noticeable in December. After the petals have fallen, the sepals remain, enclosing the very small seeds; these gradually dry out as the fruit ripens.
Plants are found on the edge of rainforest and other cool, moist places.
DISTRIBUTION:
TAS to Dorrigo area, NSW
