About Ajuga australis R.Br.
Ajuga australis R.Br. grows as a herbaceous shrub. Flowering stems emerge from a loose rosette of leaves. Each leaf is obovate or elliptic with a wedge-shaped base, measuring 3–12 cm in length and 0.8–3.5 cm in width. Leaves are covered in fine hairs, which are more prominent along the midrib. Its purple flowers predominantly bloom in spring, but may appear at any time of year. This species typically lives for approximately two to three years.
Ajuga australis grows on medium to high nutrient clay soils, occurring over Wianamatta Shale, basalt, or alluvial quartzite. In the Sydney region, it can be found in grassy woodlands growing under narrow-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), forest red gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and grey box (Eucalyptus moluccana) alongside kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra); it also grows in open forest under black sally (Eucalyptus stellulata) or snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora).
This plant can be easily cultivated in part-shaded or sunny garden locations in most soil types. It is readily propagated from cuttings.
