About Prostanthera melissifolia F.Muell.
Prostanthera melissifolia F.Muell., commonly known as balm mint bush, is an erect shrub that usually reaches a height of 1 to 2 meters (3 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 7 inches). It has branches that are both hairy and glandular. Its leaves are dark green on the upper surface and paler underneath, with an egg shape. The leaves measure 15 to 30 millimeters (0.59 to 1.18 inches) long and 10 to 15 millimeters (0.39 to 0.59 inches) wide, and are attached to a 10 to 15 millimeter (0.39 to 0.59 inch) long petiole. The leaf edges have fine teeth, and the midrib and veins are covered in hairs. Flowers grow in clusters of 10 to 20 at the ends of branchlets. There are bracteoles 1 to 2.2 millimeters (0.039 to 0.087 inches) long at the base of each cluster, and these bracteoles fall off as the flowers mature. The sepals are green, often with a maroon tint, and form a tube 2 millimeters (0.079 inches) long with two egg-shaped to oblong lobes that are 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters (0.059 to 0.098 inches) long. The petals are mauve, purple, or pink, and measure 10 to 12 millimeters (0.39 to 0.47 inches) long. They form a bell-shaped tube 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) long that is divided into two lips. The central lobe of the lower lip is 5.5 to 7 millimeters (0.22 to 0.28 inches) long and 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) wide. The side lobes of the lower lip are 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long and 5 to 6 millimeters (0.20 to 0.24 inches) wide. The upper lip is 3 to 3.5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.14 inches) long and 7 to 8 millimeters (0.28 to 0.31 inches) wide, with a central notch that is 3 to 3.5 millimeters (0.12 to 0.14 inches) deep. This species flowers in spring. It grows in tall montane forests, distributed between the Otway and Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, and on the far south coast of New South Wales.
