Eremophila pilosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila pilosa |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
|
| Species: |
pilosa
|
Eremophila pilosa is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. This plant is special because it grows naturally only in Western Australia. It's a small, bushy plant with lots of tangled branches. Its leaves and branches are covered in thick hairs. You can spot it by its lovely mauve or purple flowers. This plant is found in a small area called the Pilbara.
Contents
What Eremophila pilosa Looks Like
Eremophila pilosa is a thick, bushy plant. It usually grows to be about 50 to 90 centimeters (20 to 35 inches) tall. Its branches and leaves are covered in two kinds of hairs. Some are fine, grey, and branched, like tiny sticky hairs (called glandular hairs). Others are longer and stiffer, up to 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) long.
The branches also have bumps where old leaves used to be. The leaves grow one after another along the stem. They are often grouped together near the ends of the branches. Most leaves are about 14 to 25 millimeters (0.5 to 1 inch) long. They are also 4 to 9 millimeters (0.1 to 0.3 inches) wide. Their shape can be like an egg or a spear, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.
Flowers of Eremophila pilosa
The flowers of this plant grow alone, or sometimes in pairs. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a hairy stalk that is 6 to 9 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. There are five green, spear-shaped, hairy parts called sepals. These sepals are 8 to 13.5 millimeters (0.3 to 0.5 inches) long. After the flower blooms, these sepals grow even bigger, up to 13 to 19 millimeters (0.5 to 0.7 inches).
The colorful petals are 16 to 21 millimeters (0.6 to 0.8 inches) long. They are joined together at the bottom to form a tube. The outside of the petal tube is a deep lilac or pale purple color. Inside, it is white with purple spots or streaks. The outside of the flower is hairy. However, the inside tips of the petals are smooth. The inside of the tube is full of soft, woolly hairs. The four stamens, which produce pollen, are completely hidden inside the petal tube.
Eremophila pilosa flowers bloom from June to July. After flowering, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are oval-shaped with a pointed end. They are about 7 to 8.5 millimeters (0.28 to 0.33 inches) long and have a thin, papery covering.
How Eremophila pilosa Got Its Name
This plant was first officially described in 2007 by a scientist named Robert Chinnock. He published his description in a book about Eremophila plants. The second part of its scientific name, pilosa, comes from a Latin word. It means "hairy," which is a perfect description for this plant!
Where Eremophila pilosa Lives
Eremophila pilosa grows in a special kind of soil. It likes red-brown clay mixed with sand. You can find it on sandy plains between the towns of Jigalong and Roy Hill. Both of these places are in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. This area is known for its unique plants and animals.
Protecting Eremophila pilosa
The Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Eremophila pilosa a special status. It is classified as "Priority One" flora. This means that the plant is known to grow in only a few places. Because of this, it is at risk of disappearing. Protecting these few locations is very important to keep this unique plant safe.
