Eremophila daddii facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila daddii |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
daddii
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Eremophila daddii is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. This plant only grows naturally in Western Australia. It's a big bush with sticky branches and leaves that feel a bit hairy. Its flowers are brown and cream, often with purple spots.
What it Looks Like
Eremophila daddii is a shrub that can grow up to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) tall. It can also spread out 2–4 m (7–10 ft) wide. Its branches are sticky and have small hairs on them.
The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are often grouped together near the ends of the branches. These leaves are a dull green color and shaped like a spear. They are usually 30–100 mm (1–4 in) long and 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) wide.
The flowers grow one by one where a leaf meets the stem. Each flower sits on a hairy stalk that is 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long. Before the petals, there are 5 light brown, spear-shaped parts called sepals. These sepals are 18–31 mm (0.7–1 in) long and 8–18 mm (0.3–0.7 in) wide. They also have hairs and turn a bit pink as they get older.
The petals of the flower are light brown and cream. They often have purple spots or blotches. The petals are 20–30 mm (0.8–1 in) long. They join together at the bottom to form a tube. This tube has a few short hairs both inside and out. Inside the flower, there are four stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. These stamens stick out beyond the end of the petal tube. This plant mainly flowers from June to September.
Naming the Plant
The plant Eremophila daddii was first officially described in 2016. This description was made by two scientists, Bevan Buirchell and Andrew Brown. They published their findings in a scientific journal called Nuytsia.
The second part of the plant's name, daddii, was chosen to honor someone. It's named after Ronald James Dadd from Goomalling. He was the person who first found this special plant.
Where it Grows
This type of Eremophila plant is only found in one specific area. It grows near Wiluna in Western Australia. This area includes parts of the Gascoyne and Murchison regions.
You can find Eremophila daddii growing near granite rocks and on hillsides that have been worn away by weather. It often grows alongside Acacia plants and other types of Eremophila species.
Protecting the Plant
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Eremophila daddii a special status. It is classified as "Priority One".
This means that the plant is only known to grow in one or a few places. Because it's found in so few spots, it could be at risk of disappearing. This classification helps make sure efforts are made to protect it.
