- Prostanthera incisa
Taxobox
name = "Prostanthera incisa"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Lamiales
familia =Lamiaceae
genus = "Prostanthera "
species = "P. incisa"
binomial = "Prostanthera incisa"
binomial_authority = R. Br."Prostanthera incisa", or cut-leaf mintbush, is a shrubby plant native to rocky mountain tops of Eastern
Australia . It has an attractive purple flower. The leaves are highlyaromatic , ovate-lanceolate, 1-3 cm long, and teethed.There are two recognized varieties:
*"P. incisa" var. "incisa"
*"P. incisa" var. "pubescens"
The leaves and green twigs are distilled for their
essential oils . The dried leaf is also used as abushfood spice . Specific flavoring chemotypes of "P. incisa" var. "incisa" are sometimes called native mint in the bushfood trade as an abbreviation and because of mint-like aspects of aroma and flavor. However, this can be confusing because Australia also has true native "Mentha " species.In cultivation "P. incisa" prefers well-drained soils. In poorly drained soils it can be susceptible to root-rot. It has reasonable frost tolerance down to -5 degrees celsius. "P. incisa" var. "incisa" is cultivated on a small-scale commercial basis for essential oil production and for bushfood spice.
It is a fast growing shrub, and consequently can be harvested within the first year. When pruned back to a height of 50 cm it reshoots readily.
Occasionally this species is confused with the related "P. ovalifolia".
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