Common name: Sparkling Mint-bush
Prostanthera rhombea R.Br. APNI*
Description: Open divaricate shrub 0.5–2 m high, strongly aromatic; branches moderately to densely covered with stiff spreading hairs and gland-tipped hairs.
Leaves with lamina ± circular, usually appearing angular-ovate because margins variously recurved, 2–6 mm long, 2–5.5 mm wide; apex obtuse to rounded; base broad-cuneate to rounded; margins entire, and recurved; surfaces mid green, glabrous or sparsely covered with stiff spreading hairs and gland-tipped hairs, densely covered with ± sessile glands below; petiole 0.3–1 mm long.
Flowers axillary, part inflorescence 1-flowered; bracteoles persistent, 1.5–2 mm long. Calyx 4–5 mm long; tube 1.5–2 mm long; upper lobe c. 2 mm long, slightly enlarged in fruit. Corolla 7–8 mm long, mauve or bluish, often white apically. Anthers without appendage.
Flowering: spring.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in rainforest or sclerophyll forest, often in gullies or riverine habitats, in sandy to sandy-loam soils over sandstone; chiefly from Port Macquarie to the Nepean R.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, NT, CT, NWS, CWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic.
Text by B. J. Conn Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data ***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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