Eremophila buirchellii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila buirchellii |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
buirchellii
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Eremophila buirchellii is a special flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. It grows only in one place: Mount Augustus National Park in Western Australia. This plant is a straight-standing shrub with many leaves grouped closely together. It has pretty pink, bell-shaped flowers. Most parts of the plant are covered with soft, grey, branched hairs.
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What Eremophila buirchellii Looks Like
This plant is a shrub that stands straight up. It usually grows about 1 to 2 metres (3.3 to 6.6 feet) tall. It can also spread out to be about 0.8 to 1.2 metres (2.6 to 3.9 feet) wide. Its branches are covered thickly with grey, branched hairs.
The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are usually 10 to 23 millimetres (0.4 to 0.9 inches) long. They are also 2.5 to 5 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) wide. The leaves are shaped like a spear and have many grey, branched hairs. They grow very close together at the ends of the branches.
The Flowers of Eremophila buirchellii
The flowers grow one by one where a leaf meets the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk that is 5 to 7 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. There are 5 spear-shaped parts called sepals around the base of the flower. These sepals are grey-green to a reddish-purple colour. They are 7 to 10 millimetres (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long and spread outwards. They are also covered with many branched, grey hairs.
The petals of the flower are 8 to 12 millimetres (0.3 to 0.5 inches) long. They join together at the bottom to form a bell-shaped tube. The inside and outside of this tube are pink or pinkish-white. You won't find any spots on these petals. The petal tube is mostly smooth, but it might have a few tiny glandular hairs. There are 4 stamens inside the flower. They are about the same length as the petal tube and are spaced out well. This plant usually blooms from June to August.
How Eremophila buirchellii Got Its Name
The plant Eremophila buirchellii was first officially described in 2016. This description was written by a scientist named Andrew Phillip Brown. It was published in a science magazine called Nuytsia.
The second part of the plant's name, buirchellii, is a special honour. It is named after Bevan Buirchell. He was the person who collected the very first sample of this plant. He is also an expert on the group of plants called Eremophila.
Where Eremophila buirchellii Lives
This type of eremophila plant is found only in one place. It lives in Mount Augustus National Park in Western Australia. This area is part of the Gascoyne region. The plant prefers to grow on steep, rocky slopes.
Protecting Eremophila buirchellii
Scientists have counted only about 50 grown plants of this species. Because of this, Eremophila buirchellii is considered a "Priority Two" plant. This classification comes from the Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife.
"Priority Two" means that the plant is not very well known. It is found in only one or a few places. This classification helps to show that the plant needs special attention to protect it.
