Austral Bugle

Austral Bugle
Austral Bugle
Austral Bugle
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©Austral Bugle - Elspeth Swan, Austral Bugle - Elspeth Swan, Ajuga australis-Russel Best CC2.5

Ajuga australis


Small herb to 30 cm tall, with soft upright stems growing from a rosette of leaves at ground level. Leaves velvety with a toothed edge, getting smaller towards the flower spikes. Flowers tube-shaped, around 15 mm long, usually deep blue or purple but can be pink or white


Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

The tube-shaped flowers have a short upper lip and a long, spreading lower lip. Square hairy stems.

Biology

Perennial. Dislikes poorly-drained soils. Can spread rapidly by root suckers. It is pollinated by native bees.

Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Oct-Mar

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Lamiales
Family
Lamiaceae
Genus
Ajuga
Species
australis

A member of the Mint family. Its bruised leaves and juice were used as a treatment for skin wounds and sores by Aboriginal people


Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native