Eremophila oblonga facts for kids
Eremophila oblonga is a cool flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. It's special because it only grows in Western Australia – that's what "endemic" means! This plant is a small, round bush with tiny, thick leaves and pretty purple or mauve flowers. You can find it growing near a place called Balladonia.
Quick facts for kids Eremophila oblonga |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
oblonga
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What it Looks Like
Eremophila oblonga is a small, round, spreading bush. It has many tangled branches. This plant usually grows to be about 15 and 25 cm (5.9 and 9.8 in) tall. It can spread out to be 30 to 80 cm (12 to 31 in) wide.
Its branches are smooth and can be greenish-blue or purple. They also have cool, raised, amber-colored bumps. The leaves grow close together at the ends of the branches. They are thick and fleshy. Each leaf is about 1.3–3.5 mm (0.051–0.138 in) long and 0.6–1.7 mm (0.024–0.067 in) wide. They are shaped like an oval, an egg, or a club. If you cut them, they look almost circular or triangular inside.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a straight, smooth stalk about 1–2.2 mm (0.039–0.087 in) long.
Before they open, the flower buds are blackish-brown. But when they bloom, they show off beautiful purple or mauve petals! The inside of the flower tube is white with purple spots. The outside of the petals is smooth. The four stamens (the parts that make pollen) are hidden inside the petal tube.
This plant flowers from May to November. After the flowers, it grows woody fruits. These fruits are oval or cone-shaped, blackish-brown, and about 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long.
Where it Grows
You can find Eremophila oblonga growing between Balladonia and Fraser Range in Western Australia. It likes to grow in woodland areas. It prefers soil that is clay-loam and sits over limestone.
How We Use and Grow It
This small, round bush is great for gardens! It has pretty leaves and lots of flowers in the spring.
You can grow new plants from cuttings during warmer months. It grows best in soil that drains water well. It likes sunny spots or places with a little bit of shade.
Eremophila oblonga is a tough plant. It doesn't need much water, only a little bit if there's a long dry spell. It can also handle frost. Giving it a light trim once a year helps it grow even better.
