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In this series, I’ll share remarkable stories about plant families—their importance to the natural world and the quirks that make them fascinating. To begin, I’ve chosen a family that’s appropriately edible, since I’ll be serving up these stories in bite-sized portions. In case you missed my previous blog on Diversity in families, here is a very brief summary;  Plant families are the key to diversity The table below features 24 plant families, that includes grasses, groundcovers, shrubs, understorey and canopy trees. It lists common plants in each family, describes their general characteristics and explains how they support insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Drag the 'scroll bar' on the right side to see more of the table; The Native Mint family, also known as the Lamiaceae family A family name with a provocative twist  Midwives, healers, and herbalists were occasionally mistrusted and labeled as witches and sorceresses The family name Lamiaceae is from the Latin word lamia and refers to a mythical monster with the body of a woman. It reflects the superstitions and beliefs of 1830’s England when the name was chosen. From mints to monsters to modern medicine? Mints were widely used in folk medicine and often associated with protective or ‘magical’ healing properties. In many communities, remedies were prepared and prescribed by women - midwives, healers, and herbalists, who were occasionally mistrusted and labeled witches and sorceresses, because some people believed that they added their own magic powers to the aromatic mint leaves, enhancing their effects. 'Man-eating monsters' was an histerical description occasionally given to these women healers, which is the literal meaning of the Latin word lamia. Lamiaceae then bacame the scientific family name for the Mint family. The full circle of this sad piece of English history can be seen today, because the creative and practical uses of plants like mint for healing, contributed significantly to the traditions that eventually influenced the development of modern pharmacology and medicine. Australian members of the Mint Family Native Mint-bushes (Prostanthera), Native Rosemary (Westringia), Snakebush (Hemiandra), Bugle (Ajuga). Exotic members of the Mint Family Mint, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage & Thyme.  Native Thyme, Prostanthera incisa From exotic Mints to native Mint-bushes The strong scent and flavour of herbs like peppermint and spearmint are well-loved in summer drinks, exotic salads, and hearty winter roasts, and often stir fond memories. Australia’s own native mint-bushes are just as aromatic, yet they have not found the same place in our kitchens, even though many species are safe to use in cooking and for brewing herbal teas. (E.g. Prostanthera incisa, Native Thyme; P. rotundifolia, Native Oregano; P. ovifolia, Oval-leaf Mint-bush; P. cuneata, Alpine Mint-bush). The Australian Balm Mint-bush, P. melissifolia, is commercially grown for its rich invigorating mint-lime scent (Recreating the Country Ed. 2). Mint-bushes are more commonly enjoyed in our gardens and valued for their hardiness and beautiful flowers. But behind their modest appearance, these native mint-bushes hide fascinating and little known secret sex lives. The intriguing sex lives of Mint Bushes - the birds, the bees and the... Researcher Trevor Wilson and associates in 2017 found that the subtle variety of shapes of mint-bush flowers is not accidental. Remarkably, the flowers of different species of mint-bush have developed shapes designed to lure different types of pollinators. Beetles & flies Some species have developed tubular flowers that are more open and starlike to attract native beetles and flies. E.g. Prostanthera rotundifolia (Round-leaf Mint-bush), P. cruciflora (Mt. Kaputar Mint-bush). Native Bees Those with short tubular flowers that taper quickly and have a central flattish petal as a ‘landing pad’, suit native bees. E.g. P. cuneata (Alpine MInt-bush), P. lasianthos (Victorian Christmans-bush), P. nivea (Snowy Mint-bush). Birds Flowers that are nectar-rich, brightly coloured, long and tubular are designed to attract and suit the long beaks of honeyeaters. E.g. P. aspalathoides (Scarlet Mint-bush) P. monticola (Mt. Buffalo Mint-bush), P. walteri (Blotchy Mint-bush). Beer drinkers, the nectar in the bird attracting mint-bush flowers sits between 10% & 25% sugar, which is similar to the sugar needed to make a Belgian style beer. Can you see the potential to produce a uniquely Australia beer from the flowers, that would be deliciously spiced with the subtle mintiness of each mint-bush species. (Michael Whitehead, 2020, Pollinators and pollen flow in Mint-bushes, FJC webinar series) Pollinating partners can make a difference Studies of mint-bush pollination and whether birds are better than bees, have been inconclusive. Most plants that have shifted pollinator camps over millions of years of evolution, have moved from insect pollination to pollination by birds. This is because birds are faster and disperse pollen across much larger areas. So, if a plant wants to spread its genes further and quicker, then birds are the delivery system of choice. Insects, by contrast, tend to focus on smaller patches, leading to greater genetic variation within the local population, but less long-distance gene dispersal. This increases a population's ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, disease, and other stresses, enhancing its long-term survival and viability. So, insects tend to focus on the small details of pollinating, while birds are more interested in the big picture. A combination of pollinating partners (birds and insects) would seem ideal.  A rare yellow form of P. aspalathoides Gardeners guide to Mint-bushes If you haven’t grown native mint-bushes before, here’s a little background: These hardy shrubs range from small to medium in size and are known for their fast growth and striking display of flowers. Australia is home to nearly 100 species, offering an extraordinary variety of colours, most commonly mauve, but also white, pink, and more rarely red and yellow. Their leaves release a rich array of scents when crushed. A welcome highlight of a walk in my garden is the Round-leaf Mint-bush or Native Oregaona, P. rotundifolia, which fills the air with its delicious peppermint scent (with a hint of citrus and eucalypt) when I brush past. Disappointingly, the Snowy Mint-bush (P. nivea) found in central Victoria, very unusually lacks any detectable fragrance. Important for habitat and food Mint-bushes thrive in most well-drained soils and occur naturally in coastal areas, heathlands, open forests, and woodlands. In these environments, they often form dense shrub communities that provide vital food and shelter for birds, insects, and other wildlife. Just as overindulging in a hearty winter roast with mint sauce can leave us with regrets, overfeeding mint-bushes can have a similar effect. These plants are highly sensitive to phosphorus, which can cause their leaves to yellow and the plants to die back.  A New Holland Honeyeater feeding on red bottlebrush nectar How important is flower colour and scent to pollinators?
Attracting pollinators to your garden and the back paddock Here is a brief summery of my next blog on planting to attract both the birds and the bees; 90% of Australian plants are pollinated by animals (this includes insects), the other 10% (grasses, sedges, cypress pines, sheoaks) mostly evolved earlier than insects and are pollinated by wind, which is a more hit and miss method of pollination. Colour and nectar attracts more pollinators;
2 Comments
Suzette Hartwell
18/9/2025 12:54:17 pm
Another fascinating and educational blog Steve.
Steve
18/9/2025 11:03:25 pm
Thanks Suzette, Leave a Reply. |
'RECREATING the COUNTRY'
Ten key principles for designing sustainable landscapes Second edition Updated & expanded Click on the image below to read more 
Stephen Murphy is an author and ecologist. He has worked as a nurseryman and designer of natural landscapes for over 30 years. He loves the bush, actively supporting Landcare and conservation initiatives throughout Australia
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