Eremophila caperata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila caperata |
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| Eremophila caperata growing near Kalannie, Western Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
caperata
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Eremophila caperata is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the figwort family. You can only find this plant growing naturally in the south-west part of Western Australia. It looks like a broom with many branches. This shrub has flat, narrow, and wrinkled leaves. Its flowers are usually white, light pink, or a pretty lilac color.
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What Eremophila caperata Looks Like
Eremophila caperata is a type of shrub. It usually grows up to 3 m (10 ft) tall. This plant has many branches that stand straight up. The branches feel rough and can be lumpy. They are also shiny and sticky.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are long and thin. They get narrower at both ends. Most leaves are about 16–31 mm (0.6–1 in) long. They are also about 1–2.5 mm (0.04–0.1 in) wide. The leaves have a wrinkled surface. There is also a small hook at the very end of each leaf.
The flowers grow in groups of 3 or 4. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower group sits on a short stalk. This stalk is about 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. There are 5 sticky, egg-shaped parts called sepals. These sepals are cream-colored to purple. They are about 2.5–5.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long.
The petals of the flower are 9–13.5 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long. They join together at the bottom to form a tube shape. This petal tube can be white, light pink, or lilac. It has brown spots inside. Both the inside and outside of the tube are hairy. There are 4 stamens hidden inside the petal tube.
Flowering Time and Fruit
Eremophila caperata flowers between August and November. After the flowers, small fruits grow. These fruits are oval-shaped. They are about 3.2–3.6 mm (0.13–0.14 in) long. The fruit has a thin, brittle, and hairy covering.
How Eremophila caperata Got Its Name
The plant Eremophila caperata was first officially described in 2007. A scientist named Robert Chinnock wrote about it. His description was published in a book about Eremophila plants. The first plant used to describe the species was found by Chinnock himself. He found it about 5 km (3 mi) north of the rabbit-proof fence near Kalannie.
The second part of the plant's name, caperata, is a Latin word. It means "wrinkled." This name was chosen because of the plant's wrinkled leaves.
Where Eremophila caperata Grows
This Eremophila plant grows in a large area of Western Australia. You can find it between Wubin, Hyden, and the Plumridge Lakes area. It likes to grow in sand, clay, or loam soils. You can often see it on sand dunes or in low-lying areas. It sometimes grows in salty soils. It is also found in Eucalyptus woodlands.
Growing Eremophila caperata in Gardens
E. caperata is a good plant for gardens. Its delicate leaves and compact shape are attractive. It also produces many showy flowers in spring. This makes it a great shrub for privacy screens or as a plant under taller trees.
You can grow new plants from cuttings. You can also graft it onto Myoporum plants. This plant can grow in many different types of soil. It likes full sun or partial shade. It can also handle both frost and dry conditions.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Eremophila caperata as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
