Prostanthera ovalifolia
R. Br.
Purple Mint-bush, Oval leafed mint bush
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Summary
Source: WikipediaProstanthera ovalifolia, commonly known as the oval-leaf mintbush or purple mintbush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is an erect shrub with egg-shaped leaves and groups of mauve to deep blue-purple flowers arranged in groups at the ends of branchlets.
Description
A dense shrub. It can be 2-4 m tall. It can spread 1.2-3 m wide. The leaves are narrowly sword shaped. They are 4 cm long by 1 cm wide. The edges can have teeth. The leaves have a strong smell. The flowers are purple and 1 cm long. They are in short crowded clusters.
Edible Uses
The leaves have a mint flavor and are used to flavor jams and jellies.
Traditional Uses
The leaves have a mint flavour and are used to flavour jams and jellies.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A temperate plant. It can grow in the subtropics. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It grows on the coast as well as inland. It can stand light frost. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Arboretum Tasmania.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Tasmania,
References (14)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 835
- Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 834
- Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 19
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1086
- Greig, D., 1996, Flowering Natives for Home Gardens. Angus & Robertson. p 295
Show all 14 references Hide references
- Grieg, D., 2002, A photographic guide to Wildflowers of South-eastern Australia. New Holland. p 55
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 240
- Holliday, I., 1979, A Field Guide to Australian Native Shrubs. Rigby. p 184
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 199
- Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 189
- Molyneux, B. and Forrester, S., 1997, The Austraflora A-Z of Australian Plants. Reed. p 148
- Prodr. 509. 1810
- Robins, J., 1996, Wild Lime. Cooking from the Bush food garden. Allen & Unwin p 127
- www.ceres.org.au/bushfoodcatalogue
