Prostanthera calycina

Prostanthera calycina
File:Prostanthera calycina.jpg
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.

References

• South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage - West Coast Mintbush Prostanthera calycina Information Sheet