Prostanthera serpyllifolia subsp. microphylla
(R.Br.) B.J.Conn Small-leaf Mint-bushShrub to 0.5(–1.6) m high; branches and leaves sparsely to densely hairy, hairs recurved to reflexed, often appearing curled. Leaves ovate to broadly elliptic (rarely narrowly ovate), (1–)1.5–3(–3.8) mm long, (0.5–)0.7–1.3(–2.7) mm wide, often reflexed, base obtuse to rounded, sometimes c. truncate; petiole 0–0.3(–0.5) mm long. Flowers appearing axillary; bracteoles mostly 2–4 mm long. Calyx (4.3–)5–7.5(–9.5) mm long, maroon or green, tube 3–5 mm long, lobes 1.5–2.2 mm long; corolla bright pink to mid red, often white basally, and/or with yellow tinge distally or light metallic blue-green, rarely wholly yellow, tube 9–14 mm long; anther appendage c. 1 mm long. Flowers spring.
LoM, MuM, Wim, VRiv, RobP, CVU. In Victoria to the far north-west, but locally common in mallee communities, particularly on loamy and sandy soils which are overlying and associated with limestone.
Subspecies serpyllifolia differs in its larger (to 14 mm long and 4 mm wide) leaves that are usually not recurved or reflexed, and the longer (to 12 mm) calyx. It is endemic in South Australia, on the Eyre Peninsula.
Conn, B.J. (1999). Lamiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 418–459. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
