Prostanthera cryptandroides
Encyclopedia
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:
Prostanthera
Prostanthera, commonly known as Mintbush, is a genus of plants of the family Lamiaceae. There are about 90 species within the genus, all of which are endemic to Australia. The word is derived from the Greek, which refers to an appendage...
, found in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The habitat is rocky areas in dry eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
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
Wollemi National Park
Wollemi National Park is the second largest national park in New South Wales, and contains most of the largest wilderness area, the Wollemi Wilderness...
. Near Glen Davis
Glen Davis, New South Wales
Glen Davis is a village in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The village is located in the local government area of the City of Lithgow. It is located 250 km north-west of Sydney and approximately 80 kilometres north of Lithgow...
it grows in association with the Red Ironbark
Eucalyptus fibrosa
Eucalyptus fibrosa, commonly known as the Red Ironbark or Broad-leaved Red Ironbark, is a type of Ironbark tree found in eastern Australia, mainly in Queensland and New South Wales. This plant is in family Myrtaceae....
, on soils derived from the Narrabeen group
Narrabeen group
The Narrabeen group of sedimentary rocks occurs in the Sydney Basin in eastern Australia. This series of rocks was formed in the triassic period....
of sedimentary rocks. The fragmented populations of this rare species are threatened by wildfires
Bushfires in Australia
Bushfires in Australia are frequently occurring events during the hotter months of the year due to Australia's mostly hot, dry climate. Large areas of land are ravaged every year by bushfires, which also cause property damage and loss of life....
.
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
Sooty mold
Sooty molds are Ascomycete fungi which grow on plant exudates and the sugary honeydew secreted by insects such as aphids, scales, the whitefly, and other insects which suck sap from their host plants. The name itself is descriptive, as sooty mold is a black, powdery coating adhering to the leaves...
. 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
Allan Cunningham (botanist)
Allan Cunningham was an English botanist and explorer, primarily known for his travels in New South Wales to collect plants.- Early life :...
.
Two varieties are recognised:
- P. cryptandroides var. cryptandroides, found between Glen DavisGlen Davis, New South WalesGlen Davis is a village in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The village is located in the local government area of the City of Lithgow. It is located 250 km north-west of Sydney and approximately 80 kilometres north of Lithgow...
in the south and DenmanDenman, New South WalesDenman is a small rural town in New South Wales, Australia, in Muswellbrook Shire. The town is located on the Golden Highway in the Upper Hunter Valley region, about 250 km north of Sydney...
in the north. - P. cryptandroides var. euphrasioides, found from the North Western Slopes and Plains in New South Wales to north Queensland.