Eremophila prolata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila prolata |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
prolata
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The Eremophila prolata is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. This plant is special because it is endemic to Western Australia, meaning it grows naturally only in that part of the world. It's an upright shrub with a rounded top. You can spot it by its ridged, hairy branches, narrow leaves, and pretty white to deep lilac flowers.
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What Does Eremophila prolata Look Like?
This shrub usually grows to be about 0.8 and 1.8 m (3 and 6 ft) tall. It has a rounded or somewhat flat top. Its branches are covered with thick, milky-white hairs and feel sticky because of a brown, natural resin.
The leaves grow one after another along the branches. They are long and narrow, getting thinner at both ends. Most leaves are about 20–40 mm (0.8–2 in) long and 1.6–3.0 mm (0.06–0.1 in) wide. They are also hairy, but sometimes the sticky resin hides the hairs.
The Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of Eremophila prolata usually grow in groups of two or three. They appear where the leaves meet the stem, on flat, hairy stalks that are 10–25 mm (0.4–1 in) long.
Each flower has five brownish to dark purplish-pink sepals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These sepals overlap and are different shapes, from egg-shaped to spear-shaped, and are 10–23 mm (0.4–0.9 in) long. Both sides of the sepals are hairy and often sticky near their base.
The petals are 18–28 mm (0.7–1 in) long and join together at the bottom to form a tube. The outside of this tube can be white, pale lilac, or deep purple. Inside, the tube is white with faint lilac spots. The outside of the petals and most of the tube are hairy. The inside of the petal tips is smooth, but the inside of the tube is full of soft, woolly hairs. The four stamens (the parts that make pollen) are completely hidden inside the petal tube.
This plant blooms from June to September. After the flowers, it produces dry, woody fruits. These fruits are shaped like cones or ovals, about 6.5–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long, and have a papery covering.
Where Does Eremophila prolata Live?
Eremophila prolata is found only in a few places near Yarlarweelor Station in Western Australia. It grows in areas with red-brown clay and stony ground. These regions are known as the Gascoyne and Murchison biogeographic regions.
Why Is This Plant Important?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed Eremophila prolata as "Priority One". This means that the plant is known from only a few spots, and these locations might be at risk. Protecting these areas helps keep this unique plant safe.
Growing Eremophila prolata in Gardens
The beautiful pale lilac to deep purple flowers of this eremophila make it a lovely addition to gardens, especially in places where there is no frost.
It can be a bit tricky to grow from cuttings. Usually, it needs to be grafted onto a Myoporum rootstock (another plant's root system). It also needs soil that drains well and a sunny spot to grow best. This plant is very good at handling dry conditions, but giving it water now and then during a long dry spell can help it produce more flowers.
