Prostanthera calycina
Prostanthera calycina | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Prostanthera |
Species: | P. calycina |
Binomial name | |
Prostanthera calycina F. Muell. ex Benth. | |
Prostanthera calycina, the West Coast Mintbush or Limestone Mintbush, is a spreading perennial shrub that grows to 0.5 m tall. It is endemic to Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. The species has dark green leaves, which smell of mint when crushed. Its red, tube-shaped flowers are about 2 cm long, with petals opening out. A maroon (or sometimes green) outer envelope (calyx) encloses each flower. The West Coast Mintbush is listed nationally under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act as vulnerable to extinction.