Eremophila jamesiorum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila jamesiorum |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
jamesiorum
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Eremophila jamesiorum is a special kind of flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. It grows only in Western Australia, which means it's endemic there. This plant is a bit wispy and sticky, with long, thin leaves and pretty white flowers that sometimes have a touch of pink or purple. You can only find it in a few spots in the Gibson Desert.
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What Does This Plant Look Like?
Eremophila jamesiorum is a thin, sticky shrub that can grow up to about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall and 1 meter (3 feet) wide. Its leaves are placed one after another along the stem. They are smooth and green, shaped like long, narrow lines. Each leaf is about 18 to 45 millimeters (0.7 to 1.8 inches) long and less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide. The leaves also have small grooves and bumps.
The Flowers of Eremophila jamesiorum
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a smooth stalk that is about 8 to 18 millimeters (0.3 to 0.7 inches) long. Before the flower opens, it has 5 narrow, green parts called sepals. These sepals are about 3 to 8 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) long.
The petals of the flower are white, often with hints of pink or purple. They are about 15 to 22 millimeters (0.6 to 0.9 inches) long. The petals are joined together at the bottom to form a flattened, bell-shaped tube. This tube has dark lines on its lower side. The outside of the petal tube feels soft because it's covered in tiny hairs. Inside, it's mostly smooth.
There are 4 stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. These stamens are hidden inside the petal tube. This plant usually flowers in August and September.
How This Plant Got Its Name
Eremophila jamesiorum was officially described for the first time in 2016. Two scientists, Bevan Buirchell and Andrew Brown, wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of the plant's name, jamesiorum, is a special way to honor Phil and Marlene James. They own a large plant nursery in Kalamunda. Scientists often name new plants after people who have helped with plant studies or conservation.
Where Does This Plant Live?
This type of eremophila plant is found in a specific area of Western Australia. You can see it growing between "Carnegie Station" (which is north-east of Wiluna) and the Alfred Marie Range. This area is part of the Gibson Desert Nature Reserve.
It likes to grow in clay soils, especially at the bottom of hills. This tells us a lot about the kind of environment it needs to survive.
Protecting Eremophila jamesiorum
The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants that might be in danger. They have classified Eremophila jamesiorum as "Priority Two".
What "Priority Two" Means
"Priority Two" means that scientists don't know much about this plant yet. It has only been found in one or a few places. This classification helps make sure that people pay attention to it and work to protect it, so it doesn't become even rarer or disappear.
