Prostanthera stenophylla
Encyclopedia
Prostanthera stenophylla is a shrub species that is endemic to Wollemi National Park
in New South Wales, Australia. It grows to between 1.5 and 2 m (4.9 and 6.6 ft) high and has leaves that are 7 to 12 mm (0.275590551181102 to 0.47244094488189 in) long and 1.5 to 2 mm (0.0590551181102362 to 0.078740157480315 in) wide. Dull green above and paler green below, leaves are covered with a dense mat of hairs and give off a strong aroma when crushed. The leaf edges are recurved or revolute. Mauve or violet flowers appear in the leaf axils in spring, with about 4 to 6 flower-bearing branchlets arising on a leafy branch to form a raceme
. Individual flowers are about 8 to 12 mm (0.31496062992126 to 0.47244094488189 in) long.
The species was first formally described by Barry Conn of the New South Wales Herbarium in the journal Telopea
in 2006. He held it to be allied to the granite mintbush (Prostanthera granitica), within the genus. The latter species is similar in appearance but has stiffer rougher hairs and broader leaves.
Prostanthera stenophylla is found in sclerophyll forest dominated by black cypress pine (Callitris endlicheri
), snappy gum (Eucalyptus rossii
) and Sydney peppermint (E. piperita
), where it arises in sandstone outcrops, which are colloquially known as 'pagodas'.
The first recorded collection of plant material from the type locality was by nurseryman George Althofer
in 1952. A 1937 collection by Lindsay Pryor
is recognised as this species, but the given locality of "Canberra
district" is believed to be incorrect. The specific epithet stenophylla is a combination of the Greek words steno (narrow) and phylla (leaves).
The species has been in limited cultivation for some years. The unofficial name of Prostanthera rylstonii has been used by plant nurseries since at least 2005.
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...
in New South Wales, Australia. It grows to between 1.5 and 2 m (4.9 and 6.6 ft) high and has leaves that are 7 to 12 mm (0.275590551181102 to 0.47244094488189 in) long and 1.5 to 2 mm (0.0590551181102362 to 0.078740157480315 in) wide. Dull green above and paler green below, leaves are covered with a dense mat of hairs and give off a strong aroma when crushed. The leaf edges are recurved or revolute. Mauve or violet flowers appear in the leaf axils in spring, with about 4 to 6 flower-bearing branchlets arising on a leafy branch to form a raceme
Raceme
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate flowers — flowers having short floral stalks called pedicels — along the axis. In botany, axis means a shoot, in this case one bearing the flowers. In a raceme, the oldest flowers are borne...
. Individual flowers are about 8 to 12 mm (0.31496062992126 to 0.47244094488189 in) long.
The species was first formally described by Barry Conn of the New South Wales Herbarium in the journal Telopea
Telopea (journal)
Telopea is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research on plant systematics, focusing on the flora of New South Wales but with broad content that covers Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The journal was established in 1975 and is published biannually by the National...
in 2006. He held it to be allied to the granite mintbush (Prostanthera granitica), within the genus. The latter species is similar in appearance but has stiffer rougher hairs and broader leaves.
Prostanthera stenophylla is found in sclerophyll forest dominated by black cypress pine (Callitris endlicheri
Callitris endlicheri
Callitris endlicheri, commonly known as the Black Cypress Pine, is a species of conifer in the Cupressaceae family.It is found only in Australia.-References:* Conifer Specialist Group 1998. . Downloaded on 10 July 2007....
), snappy gum (Eucalyptus rossii
Eucalyptus rossii
Eucalyptus rossii, commonly known as Inland Scribbly Gum, Western Scribbly Gum, Snappy Gum or White Gum, is a smooth-barked eucalypt of eastern Australia....
) and Sydney peppermint (E. piperita
Eucalyptus piperita
Eucalyptus piperita, commonly known as Sydney Peppermint and Urn-fruited Peppermint, is a small to medium forest tree native to New South Wales, Australia.-Description:...
), where it arises in sandstone outcrops, which are colloquially known as 'pagodas'.
The first recorded collection of plant material from the type locality was by nurseryman George Althofer
George Althofer
George W. Althofer OAM was an Australian botanist, nurseryman, author and poet, with a special interest in the mint-bush genus Prostanthera as well as other Australian native plants, who founded the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum....
in 1952. A 1937 collection by Lindsay Pryor
Lindsay Pryor
Lindsay Dixon Pryor AO was an Australian botanist noted for his work on Eucalyptus taxonomy and his role in the landscape design of Canberra, including the foundation of the Australian National Botanic Gardens....
is recognised as this species, but the given locality of "Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
district" is believed to be incorrect. The specific epithet stenophylla is a combination of the Greek words steno (narrow) and phylla (leaves).
The species has been in limited cultivation for some years. The unofficial name of Prostanthera rylstonii has been used by plant nurseries since at least 2005.