Prostanthera linearis
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Narrow-leaved mint-bush
| image = Mint Family Lane Cove NP.jpg
| image_caption = In Lane Cove National Park
| status =
| status_system =
| status_ref =
| genus = Prostanthera
| species = linearis
| authority = R.Br.{{cite web|title=Prostanthera linearis|url= https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/110253|publisher=Australian Plant Census|access-date=5 September 2020}}
| range_map = Prostanthera linearisDistA51.png
| range_map_caption = Occurrence data from AVH
}}
Prostanthera linearis, commonly known as narrow-leaved mint-bush{{cite web |last1=Conn |first1=Barry J. |title=Prostanthera linearis |url=https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Prostanthera~linearis |publisher=Royal Botanic Garden Sydney |access-date=5 September 2020}} is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect, faintly aromatic shrub with glabrous, narrow egg-shaped to linear leaves and white flowers that are often tinged with pinkish-mauve.
Description
Prostanthera linearis is an erect shrub that typically grows to a height of {{cvt|1–3|m}} and is faintly aromatic. It has glabrous narrow egg-shaped to linear leaves that are {{cvt|15–45|mm}} long and {{cvt|2–3|mm}} wide on a petiole less than {{cvt|2|mm}} long. The flowers are arranged in leaf axils near the ends of branchlets with bracteoles {{cvt|2–3|mm}} long at the base. The sepals are {{cvt|5.5–6|mm}} long forming a tube {{cvt|2–3|mm}} long with two lobes, the upper lobe {{cvt|2.5–3|mm}} long. The petals are {{cvt|8–12|mm}} long and white, often with tinged with pinkish-mauve.{{cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=Les |title=Field guide to the native plants of Sydney |date=2003 |publisher=Kangaroo Press |location=East Roseville, NSW |isbn=978-0-7318-1211-0 |page=181 |edition=Rev. 3rd}}
Taxonomy
Prostanthera linearis was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.{{cite web|title=Prostanthera linearis|url= https://id.biodiversity.org.au/instance/apni/542120|publisher=APNI|access-date=5 September 2020}} The specific epithet (linearis) refers to the shape of the leaves.
Distribution and habitat
Narrow-leaved mint-bush grows in eucalyptus forest, often by streams in sandy or gravelly clay soils and occurs in Queensland and from Sydney, south to Milton.
Conservation status
This mintbush is classified as of "least concern" under the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.{{cite web |title=Species profile—Prostanthera linearis (Lamiaceae) |url=https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/details/?id=13564 |publisher=Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science |access-date=5 September 2020}}