Prostanthera lasianthos

Botanical Name:  Prostanthera lasianthos
Common Name:  Christmas mintbush
Family:  Lamiaceae
Size:  3-5m (H) x 2-4m (W)

Leaves:  Dark green above, lighter below, 4-8cm long.  Smooth, lanceolate, arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, with slightly serrated margins and a well defined tip.
Flowers:  Showy clusters of white or pale lilac with purple spots in throat.  Calyx with 2 lips.
Flowering Time:  Early summer.
Fruit:  4 nutlets.

Habitat/distribution: Widespread as an understorey shrub of sclerophyll forest. Also Vic and NSW.
Where to See:  Widespread in wet sclerophyll forest, sometimes at the edge of rainforests on a variety of soils.
Other notes:  Mint aroma of crushed leaves.  A rare pinkish flower form exists.