The Striped Mint Bush (Prostanthera striatiflora) is a shrub found growing up to 2 m high and is part of a group of ‘mint bushes’ whose leaves are highly aromatic.

Belonging to the genus Prostanthera that is made up of about 90 species, all occuring in Australia, as a member of the family Lamiaceae, the Prostanthera are related to a number of culinary herbs such as oregano, sage, thyme and mint.

It flowers in late winter to spring, when the shrub are covered in clusters of white flowers, appearing towards the end of the branches. The flowers throat open to reveal prominent purple-striped and orange-yellow dots on the lower side.

In its natural habitat is it often found growing on rocky outcrops, slopes and creeklines.

Known as Arrwatnurlke by the local Arrernte people the plant is used by them as bush medicine either by crushing the leaves and using the extract as rubbing medicine and to dry out sores, or burning the leaves to make inhaling smoke to treat flu-like symptoms.

Common name
Streaked Mintbush, Striped Mint, Jockeys Cap, Arrwatnurlke (Arrernte name).


  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Tracheophytes
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Clade: Asterids
  • Order: Lamiales
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Genus: Prostanthera
  • Species: P. striatiflora
  • Binomial name: Prostanthera striatiflora