Round-leaved eremophila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Round-leaved eremophila |
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| In the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan | |
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| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
muelleriana
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The Round-leaved Eremophila (scientific name: Eremophila muelleriana) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the figwort family, also known as Scrophulariaceae. This special plant is only found in Western Australia. It grows as an open bush with bright new leaves, wide green leaves, and pretty deep purple flowers.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Round-leaved Eremophila is an upright, open bush. It usually grows to be about 0.3 to 1 m (1 to 3 ft) tall. Its branches and leaves are covered with soft, branched hairs that can be yellow or grey.
Its leaves are shaped like an egg or are almost perfectly round. They are usually 7 to 19 mm (0.3 to 0.7 in) long and 6 to 12 mm (0.2 to 0.5 in) wide. Each leaf narrows down to a small stalk, about 2 mm (0.08 in) long.
The flowers grow either alone or in pairs where the leaves meet the stem. They hang on straight, hairy stalks that are about 6 to 12 mm (0.2 to 0.5 in) long. There are five green to purple, oval-shaped, hairy sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These sepals are 12 to 22 mm (0.5 to 0.9 in) long.
The flower's petals are 16 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 in) long. They join together at the bottom to form a tube. The outside of the petals is a deep purple to reddish-violet color. Inside, the petals are white, sometimes with purple spots near the bottom. The outside of the petal tube and its tips are hairy. However, the inside of the tips is smooth, and the inside of the tube is full of long hairs. The four stamens (the parts that make pollen) are completely hidden inside the petal tube.
This plant flowers from August to October. After the flowers, it produces oval or cone-shaped fruits. These fruits are smooth and about 8 mm (0.3 in) long.
How It Got Its Name
The Round-leaved Eremophila was first officially described in 1934. A botanist named Charles Gardner wrote about it. He found a sample of the plant near a place called Kalli, which is west of Cue.
The plant's scientific name, muelleriana, was chosen to honor a famous botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller.
Where Does It Grow?
This special plant is only found in a small area of Western Australia. It grows north-east of Meekatharra, between Mount Narryer and Yalgoo. You can find it in the Gascoyne and Murchison regions. It likes to grow in clay-sand soil within mulga woodlands.
How Can We Protect It?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given this plant a special status. It's called "Priority Three". This means that we don't know a lot about this plant, and it's only found in a few places. However, it's not in immediate danger of disappearing. Scientists are still keeping an eye on it to make sure it stays safe.
Growing This Plant at Home
The Round-leaved Eremophila is a very striking plant when it's in bloom. Its deep purple, almost black flowers are quite beautiful. It's also a tough and attractive plant that can be grown in a pot.
It can be a bit slow to grow new plants from cuttings. But in drier areas, it grows well on its own roots. You can also grow it by grafting it onto a Myoporum plant.
This plant prefers soil that drains well and a sunny spot. It can be damaged by frost, so it needs protection in colder areas. It also responds well to regular trimming, which helps it grow nicely.
