Plectranthus parviflorus

Family Lamiaceae

Short lived herb to 70 cm high with fleshy tuberous base.

Flowers: Pale blue to violet-blue, September–July. Insect-pollinated, possibly butterflies.

Fruit: Dry fruit enclosed in calyx, 4–5 mm long. Mature November–June.

Seed: Four per fruit. Some dormancy. No specialised dispersal mechanism, locally dispersed by gravity.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Woodland habitat in full sun – light shade.
• Seasonally abundant following good rainfall at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• Killed by fire, recruits from soil stored seed.