Eremophila annosocaulis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila annosocaulis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
annosocaulis
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| Synonyms | |
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Eremophila annosocaule Chinnock orth. var. |
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Eremophila annosocaulis is a unique plant found only in a small part of Western Australia. It belongs to the figwort family, also known as Scrophulariaceae. This special shrub grows on low, rocky hills near a town called Laverton.
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Discovering the Eremophila annosocaulis Plant
This plant is a low shrub, usually growing to about 0.8 metres (2.6 feet) tall. Older plants often look weathered and twisted. Their main trunk is deeply grooved and can be about 200 millimetres (7.9 inches) long. This makes it look like several thinner stems are growing together.
At the top of the trunk, many branches spread out. These branches feel very rough because of old leaf bases. They are also covered with tiny, sticky glandular hairs. The leaves grow in a tight spiral near the ends of the branches. They are small, about 4 to 11 millimetres (0.16 to 0.43 inches) long and 0.7 to 1 millimetre (0.03 to 0.04 inches) wide. The leaves are thin and round, almost like a needle, and also have many glandular hairs.
Flowers and Fruit of Eremophila annosocaulis
The flowers of Eremophila annosocaulis grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower has a stalk that is 10 to 27 millimetres (0.39 to 1.06 inches) long. There are five green or purple sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower bud. These sepals are about 13 to 18 millimetres (0.51 to 0.71 inches) long and are covered in glandular hairs.
The plant has five petals that are joined together at their base, forming a tube shape. These petals are 12 to 20 millimetres (0.47 to 0.79 inches) long and are a pretty lilac colour. Inside the flower tube, you can see white areas with purplish spots. Both the outside and inside of the tube are very hairy. There are four stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen, but they do not stick out past the end of the tube.
You can see these flowers from June to September. After the flowers, the plant produces dry, oval-shaped fruits. These fruits are about 5 to 8.5 millimetres (0.20 to 0.33 inches) long.
How Eremophila annosocaulis Got Its Name
This plant was first officially described in 2007 by a scientist named Robert Chinnock. He first called it Eremophila annosocaule. His description was published in a book about Eremophila plants. The very first plant specimen used for this description was collected by Chinnock near the Mount Morgans Gold Mine. This special plant is called the type specimen.
In 2014, the name was slightly changed to Eremophila annosocaulis. Robert Chinnock explained that the plant's specific epithet (the second part of its scientific name) comes from Latin words. Annosus means 'old' or 'aged', and caulis means 'stem'. This name refers to the very old, weathered stems that are a special feature of this plant.
Where Eremophila annosocaulis Lives
Eremophila annosocaulis grows on low, stony hills. You can find it between the town of Laverton and Lake Carnegie in a natural area called the Murchison region. The first plant specimen was found in this area.
Even though there is active mining nearby, this plant is quite common in its small home area. It often grows alongside Acacia shrubs, which are another type of plant found in Australia.
Protecting Eremophila annosocaulis
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Eremophila annosocaulis a special conservation status. It is classified as "Priority Three".
This means that we don't know a lot about this plant, and it is only found in a few places. However, it is not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. Scientists continue to watch and study plants like Eremophila annosocaulis to make sure they stay safe for the future.
