Eremophila lanata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila lanata |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
lanata
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Eremophila lanata is a pretty flowering plant found only in Western Australia. It belongs to the figwort family, also known as Scrophulariaceae. This small shrub has tiny, fuzzy leaves and lovely lilac to pinkish flowers.
What It Looks Like
Eremophila lanata is a small, bushy plant. It usually grows less than 30 cm (10 in) tall. Its branches are covered in soft, woolly hairs. The leaves grow close together at the ends of the branches. They are about 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and 1.5–2.5 mm (0.06–0.1 in) wide. Each leaf is shaped like a small oval or spear. They are also covered in tiny, branched hairs.
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a hairy stalk, about 1–4 mm (0.04–0.2 in) long. There are five dark purple, hairy sepals that are 7–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long. These sepals protect the flower bud. The petals are 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long. They join together at the bottom to form a tube.
The outside of the petal tube is lilac or pinkish-lilac. The inside is pale yellow with dark spots. The outside of the tube is hairy. But the inside of the flower's tips is smooth. The inside of the tube is full of long, soft hairs. There are four stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. They are completely hidden inside the petal tube. This plant usually flowers from June to August.
How It Got Its Name
This plant was officially described in 2007. The person who described it was Robert Chinnock. He published his description in a book about Eremophila plants. The second part of its name, lanata, comes from a Latin word. It means "soft like wool" or "velvety." This name perfectly describes the plant's fuzzy leaves and branches.
Where It Lives
Eremophila lanata is only found in a few places in Western Australia. It grows near a place called Mount Fraser. It is also found near Kumarina. These areas are part of the Gascoyne region. The plant likes to grow in stony, red, sandy clay soil.
Protecting This Plant
The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps an eye on this plant. They have classified it as "Priority Three." This means we don't know much about it yet. It has only been found in a few spots. But it is not in immediate danger of disappearing. Still, it's important to protect its habitat.
