Prostanthera stenophylla
| Prostanthera stenophylla | |
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| Species: | P. stenophylla
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| Binomial name | |
| Prostanthera stenophylla | |
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Prostanthera sp. Rylstone | |
Prostanthera stenophylla is a shrub species that is endemic to Wollemi National Park in New South Wales, Australia.[2] It grows to between 1.5 and 2 metres (4.9 and 6.6 ft) high and has leaves that are 7 to 12 millimetres (0.28 to 0.47 in) long and 1.5 to 2 millimetres (0.059 to 0.079 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.[3] 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.[3] Individual flowers are about 8 to 12 millimetres (0.31 to 0.47 in) long.[2]
The species was first formally described by Barry Conn of the New South Wales Herbarium in the journal Telopea in 2006.[1][3] 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.[3]
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,[2] which are colloquially known as 'pagodas'.[3]
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.[3] The specific epithet stenophylla is a combination of the Greek words steno (narrow) and phylla (leaves).[3]
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.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Prostanthera stenophylla". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ a b c "Prostanthera stenophylla". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Conn, Barry J. (2006). "New species of Prostanthera section Prostanthera (Labiatae) from New South Wales". Telopea. 11 (3): 252–59.