Eremophila conglomerata facts for kids

Eremophila conglomerata is a special kind of flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. It grows only in central parts of Western Australia, meaning it's endemic to that area. This plant is an upright shrub with small, jagged-edged leaves. It also has pretty mauve to blue flowers that stick out far beyond its leaves.

What Eremophila conglomerata Looks Like

Eremophila conglomerata is an upright shrub. It can grow to be about 1 and 2.5 m (3 and 8 ft) tall. Its branches are sticky and shiny because they have a natural substance called resin on them.

The leaves of this plant grow in groups near the ends of the branches. They are shaped like an oval or an egg and have jagged edges. Each leaf has a sharp tip and is very shiny and sticky. Most leaves are about 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 3–6.5 mm (0.1–0.3 in) wide.

The Flowers of Eremophila conglomerata

The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem, which is called a leaf axil. Each flower sits on a slightly flat stalk that is about 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long. These stalks help the flowers stick out past the smaller leaves.

Each flower has 5 sepals. Sepals are like small leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. These sepals can be different sizes and shapes, but they are usually 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. They are often green or yellowish-brown.

The petals of the flower are about 13–23 mm (0.5–0.9 in) long. They are joined together at the bottom to form a tube shape. The outside of this tube is mauve to blue, while the top part is reddish-purple. Inside the tube, it is white with purple spots. The outside of the tube is mostly smooth (called glabrous), but the inside is very fuzzy or woolly.

The petal lobes, which are the tips of the petals, are pointed. The bottom lobe is raised up, which closes the opening of the petal tube. Inside the tube, there are 4 stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These stamens are completely hidden inside the tube.

When it Flowers and Fruits

Eremophila conglomerata usually flowers from July to October. After the flowers, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are dry and woody with a papery covering. They are oval-shaped and about 5.5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long.

How Eremophila conglomerata Got its Name

This plant was officially described for the first time in 2007 by a scientist named Robert Chinnock. He wrote about it in a book called Eremophila and Allied Genera: A Monograph of the Plant Family Myoporaceae. The first plant specimen used to describe the species, called the type specimen, was collected by Chinnock near a town called Sandstone.

The second part of the plant's scientific name, conglomerata, comes from a Latin word. The Latin word glomeratus means "to form into a ball" or "gather into a rounded heap." This name was chosen because of the plant's small, clustered leaves.

Where Eremophila conglomerata Grows

Eremophila conglomerata grows in the area between the towns of Sandstone and Cue. This region is part of the Murchison area in Western Australia. It likes to grow in red sand and gravel.

Conservation Status: Is it Safe?

The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Eremophila conglomerata. They have officially said that it is "not threatened." This means the plant is not currently in danger of disappearing.

Growing Eremophila conglomerata in Gardens

This type of eremophila plant is good for growing in a pot or container. It can be a bit tricky to grow new plants from seeds or cuttings. It's often easier to grow it by grafting it onto other plants from the Myoporum group.

This plant needs soil that drains water well. However, it is very good at handling dry conditions (drought resistant) and can also survive frost, especially once it's older. Young plants might need a bit more protection from frost.