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Image Credit: Anna Povey – with permission
Scientific Name: Prostanthera rotundifolia
Common Name: roundleaf mintbush
Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots
Family: Lamiaceae
Threatened Species Status: Vulnerable
Permit: It is an offence to collect, disturb, damage or destroy this species unless under permit.
Form Description: Much-branched aromatic shrub.
Height (m): 1.5 – 2
Flowers: Lilac to purple in showy sprays.
Fruit: Nutlet – split into four segments each with own slightly flattened, brown or grey seed, up to 2mm long.
Municipality
Plant Communities
Habitat Notes
Locally frequent in north and east, along river banks and on adjacent rocky hillsides.
Site Tolerance
Dry, Moist, Rocky, Shady
Soil Tolerance
Clay, Fertile, Loam, Well-drained
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
General Notes
Prostantheras require full sun and excellent drainage. Even in ideal conditions they are not long-lived. To overcome the problem, the Australian National Botanic Gardens began, in the 1970s, to graft Prostanthera on to Westringia fruticosa rootstock. If grafting is not done, Prostanthera generally needs to be repropagated regularly. Bird attracting.
Propagation Calendar
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Flowering Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Seed Collecting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Sowing Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -
Cutting Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed Information
Seed Collection
Seeds can be collected close to maturity and dried in a warm spot until released.
Seed Treatment Method
Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.
Seed Treatment Notes
Use fresh seed. Germination may still be difficult. May germinate over a long period.
Cutting & Division Information
Easily grown from cuttings. May be slow to strike. Young but firm tips and stems strike readily on heat and mist.