Eremophila alatisepala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila alatisepala |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
alatisepala
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The Eremophila alatisepala is a special plant. It belongs to the figwort family, also known as Scrophulariaceae. This plant is only found in the southwest part of Queensland, Australia. It is a very sticky shrub. It has many tiny hairs that make a sticky substance called resin. This resin often covers the hairs themselves. You can usually find this plant in rocky areas. It grows on hills and slopes in a region called the Queensland Channel Country.
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Discovering the Eremophila Plant
Eremophila alatisepala is a round, bushy shrub. It has many branches and can grow up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall. Its branches are rough and covered in sticky resin. This makes them feel very tacky to the touch.
The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are usually about 40 to 50 millimeters (1.5 to 2 inches) long. They are narrow, like a spear, and can have wavy or slightly jagged edges.
Flowers and Fruit of Eremophila
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a stalk that is 10 to 25 millimeters (about 0.4 to 1 inch) long. There are five green or yellowish sepals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These sepals are different sizes. The three top sepals are longer and wider. They curve outwards and have "wings" that partly cover the flower stalk.
The petals are 20 to 26 millimeters (about 0.8 to 1 inch) long. They join together at their base to form a bell-shaped tube. The tube is usually cream-colored. However, the top part and the inside of the petals can be pink or dark orange. The inside of the tube often has darker spots. There are four stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. They are about the same length as the flower tube. After the flower, an oval-shaped fruit grows. It is flattened on its sides and is about 7 to 8.5 millimeters (about 0.3 inches) long.
How This Plant Got Its Name
The Eremophila alatisepala was first officially described in 1979. A scientist named Robert Chinnock gave it its formal description. This information was published in a science journal called the Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
The plant's scientific name, alatisepala, comes from two Latin words. "Alata" means "winged," and "sepala" refers to the sepals. So, its name means "winged sepals," which describes the special sepals on its flowers.
Where Eremophila alatisepala Lives
This type of eremophila plant is found only in the southwest part of Queensland. It likes to grow in hard, rocky ground. You often see it growing alongside other plants. These include Senna and Triodia species, which are types of grasses.
Protecting Eremophila alatisepala
The Eremophila alatisepala is considered a rare plant. However, it is currently listed as a species of "least concern." This means that under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act 1992, it is not in immediate danger of disappearing.
Growing Eremophila alatisepala
This eremophila is a pretty shrub. Its creamy pink flowers look lovely against its shiny, dark green leaves. People can grow this plant from cuttings. A cutting is a piece of the plant that can grow new roots. It can take a few months for the cuttings to form roots.
Sometimes, this plant is grafted onto another plant called Myoporum. Grafting is when you join parts of two plants so they grow as one. Eremophila alatisepala grows best in full sunlight. It needs soil that drains water well. It can handle dry conditions, meaning it doesn't need a lot of water. However, it can be damaged by frost.
