About Prostanthera denticulata R.Br.
Species Nomenclature and Growth Habit
Prostanthera denticulata R.Br. is a straggling to roughly prostrate, aromatic shrub.
Size and Branchlet Characteristics
It usually reaches 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) in height and spreads to 2 metres (6 feet 7 inches) wide, with short flattened hairs covering its branchlets.
Leaf Morphology
Its leaves are egg-shaped, measuring 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 inches) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 inches) wide, borne on a petiole 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 inches) long.
Flower Arrangement and Bracteoles
Flowers are arranged in the leaf axils near the ends of branchlets, with 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 inches) long bracteoles at the base of each flower.
Sepal Structure
The sepals are 3.5–5 mm (0.14–0.20 inches) long and form a tube 2–2.5 mm (0.079–0.098 inches) long with two lobes; the upper lobe is approximately 2 mm (0.079 inches) long.
Petal Characteristics
The petals are 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 inches) long, forming a purple to mauve tube.
Flowering Period
Flowering takes place in spring and early summer.
Soil Requirements
This species grows in sandy, gravelly, well-drained soil that formed from Triassic coarse-grained sandstone.
Associated Vegetation
Its surrounding vegetation is typically heath-influenced, occurring in woodland or wet sclerophyll forest.
Distribution Range
It is only recorded from the Central Coast of New South Wales, between Bouddi National Park and Royal National Park.
