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Prostanthera

Family

Labiatae

A genus of about fifty species of shrubs and subshrubs, confined to Australia and Tasmania, some very ornamental, but none reliably hardy in our average climate. Besides the two species treated here, there are others that could be grown outside in the mildest parts. P. lasianthos Labill. (Bot. Mag., t. 2434) has leaves 2 to 4 in. long and bears fine panicles of large, white or lilac, spotted flowers; it has flowered outdoors at Trewidden in Cornwall. P. cuneata Benth. (Bot. Mag., n.s., t. 132) is similar to P. lasianthos in its flowers, but quite different in habit and foliage, being a dwarf shrub with roundish or obovate-cuneate leaves barely 14 in. long. It is said to be hardier than P. rotundifolia, but is uncommon in gardens. Both species occur in Tasmania as well as on the mainland of S.E. Australia.

The mint bushes need a sunny position and do not thrive on shallow, chalky soils.

Species articles