Kingdom Plantae Family Lamiaceae Rank Species | Order Lamiales Genus Prostanthera | |
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Scientific name Prostanthera cryptandroides Similar Prostanthera walteri, Prostanthera calycina, Prostanthera denticulata, Prostanthera linearis, Prostanthera striatiflora | ||
Prostanthera cryptandroides is a Mint Bush, found in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The habitat is rocky areas in dry eucalyptus woodland. The pleasant mint fragrance is from aromatic oils within their leaves, such as oil of cineol.
The Wollemi Mint Bush occurs in a few sites, such as within Wollemi National Park. Near Glen Davis it grows in association with the Red Ironbark, on soils derived from the Narrabeen group of sedimentary rocks. The fragmented populations of this rare species are threatened by wildfires.
This particularly fragrant shrub grows up to two metres tall, though most often it is around one metre tall and wide. Leaves are a pale green, 5 to 9 mm long, 1 to 3 mm wide. The shape of the plant shows wide spreading branches. Branches may be stained by a sooty mould. Attractive pink or lilac flowers form in the warmer months of the year. Though flowering may occur sporadically. The original specimen was collected by the explorer Allan Cunningham.
Two varieties are recognised: