Compact poverty bush facts for kids

Eremophila compacta, often called compact poverty bush, is a cool flowering plant. It belongs to the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. This plant is special because it only grows in the central west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.

There are two main types, or subspecies, of this plant. They grow a bit differently. But both have grey leaves because of tiny white or grey hairs. Their flowers are usually purple or blue, but sometimes they can be white.

What Does Eremophila compacta Look Like?

The compact poverty bush is a shrub that stands upright. It usually grows to be about 0.4 to 1.5 meters (1 to 5 feet) tall. Its stems feel rough because of old leaf bases.

The leaves grow one after another along the branches. They are shaped like a spear or an egg. Most leaves are about 9 to 22 millimeters (0.35 to 0.87 inches) long and 2.5 to 7 millimeters (0.1 to 0.28 inches) wide.

The Flowers of the Compact Poverty Bush

The flowers grow either alone or in pairs where a leaf meets the stem. Each flower sits on a straight stalk that is 4.5 to 16 millimeters (0.18 to 0.63 inches) long.

Each flower has five sepals. These are like small, leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. They are spear-shaped, pointed, and hairy. They are green to brownish-purple and about 8 to 14 millimeters (0.31 to 0.55 inches) long.

The petals are 19 to 27.5 millimeters (0.75 to 1.08 inches) long. They join together at the bottom to form a tube. The outside of this tube and its tips are purple or lilac. Inside the tube, it is white and full of long, fuzzy hairs. There are four stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. These are completely hidden inside the petal tube.

The plant's flowering time changes depending on the type of subspecies. After the flowers, oval-shaped fruits grow. They are flat and sticky, about 5.5 to 7.5 millimeters (0.22 to 0.30 inches) long.

How Was Eremophila compacta Named?

The first official description of this plant was made by Spencer Le Marchant Moore in 1921. He published his findings in a science journal called Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. The first plant specimen used for the description was found by "Miss Brown" near Yalgoo.

The name compacta means "close together" in Latin. This refers to how the first plant found grew in a compact, or dense, way.

Two Types of Compact Poverty Bush

A scientist named Robert Chinnock studied Eremophila plants closely. He described two different types, or subspecies, of Eremophila compacta. These names are accepted by plant experts in Australia:

• Eremophila compacta subsp. compacta: This type is a compact shrub. It grows to about 0.4 to 0.8 meters (1 to 2.6 feet) tall. Its flower stalks are shorter, about 4 to 8 millimeters (0.16 to 0.31 inches) long. Its sepals are very hairy and point forward. This subspecies flowers for most of the year after it rains.
• Eremophila compacta subsp. fecunda: This type is a more open shrub. It grows taller, about 1 to 2 meters (3 to 7 feet) high. Its flower stalks are longer, about 8 to 16 millimeters (0.31 to 0.63 inches) long. Its sepals have fewer hairs and spread out. This subspecies usually flowers between May and October. Its petals are often blue, but can also be pink or white. This type looks softer than the other.

The name fecunda comes from the Latin word for "fruitful" or "fertile." This name was chosen because this subspecies grows in large numbers.

Where Does Eremophila compacta Grow?

You can find Eremophila compacta in Western Australia. It grows in areas like Carnarvon, Cue, Paynes Find, Murchison, and Mount Augustus. It likes to grow in red sandy or clay soils.

Is Eremophila compacta Protected?

The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Eremophila compacta is "not threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.

Using Compact Poverty Bush in Gardens

The compact poverty bush is a pretty plant for gardens. It has attractive silvery-grey leaves and flowers that are pink to purple. It is a good choice for gardens in dry inland areas. But it can also grow well in places near the coast, even near Sydney.

Most people grow new plants from cuttings. This plant can handle dry conditions and loves full sun. However, it needs soil that drains water well. It can also handle light frosts. If you trim it regularly, it will grow into a nicer, more compact shape.