Common name: Oval-leaf Mintbush, Purple Mintbush
Prostanthera ovalifolia R.Br. APNI* 
Description: Erect, spreading to dense shrub, 1–4 m high, non-aromatic or only slightly so; branches 4-angled, sparsely covered with ± sessile glands and moderately covered with short, curled hairs, at least on the ridges.
Leaves with lamina narrow-ovate to ovate (juvenile leaves broad-ovate and lobed), 5–40 mm long, 3–10 mm wide; apex obtuse to subacute; base attenuate; decurrent; margins entire to slightly and irregularly sinuate, flat to slightly recurved; surfaces mid to dark green, lower surface paler, densely covered with ± sessile glands, glabrous except for the sparsely hairy midvein on lower surface; petiole 1–6 mm long.
Flowers in a terminal botryoid; bracteoles not persistent, 1–2 mm long. Calyx 2–3 mm long; tube 1–2 mm long; upper lobe 0.5–1.5 mm long, to 6 mm in fruit. Corolla 6–10 mm long, mauve or deep blue-purple, rarely white. Anthers without appendage or to c. 0.5 mm long.
Flowering: August–November
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in wet sclerophyll forest and dry sclerophyll forest on sandstone, widespread.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, SWS, SWP
Other Australian states: Qld Vic.
Many forms of this species are commonly cultivated.
Text by B. J. Conn
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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