Eremophila ramiflora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila ramiflora |
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| Eremophila ramiflora leaves and flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
ramiflora
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Eremophila ramiflora is a special flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. You can only find this plant growing naturally in Western Australia. It's a shrub with sticky branches and wide, sticky leaves. Its deep red flowers bloom one after another, making it quite unique!
About the Plant
Eremophila ramiflora is a shrub that can grow from about 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) tall. It can stand up straight or spread out.
Its branches are thick and covered in a sticky substance called resin. These branches are quite hard and break easily. Most of the time, leaves only grow at the very ends of the branches.
The leaves are grouped together at the branch tips. They are shaped like a spearhead and are often folded like a "U". They can be wavy and are usually about 4.5 to 7 centimeters (1.8 to 2.8 inches) long and 1.8 to 2.6 centimeters (0.7 to 1.0 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves are very hairy, and these hairs are also covered in resin.
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Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of Eremophila ramiflora grow in groups of up to three where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower has a stalk that is usually 1 to 2.2 centimeters (0.4 to 0.9 inches) long.
What's interesting is that the flowers often open one after another. Sometimes, the last flower will even open in a different season, often on older, woody parts of the plant that have lost their leaves.
Each flower has five green to deep red sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the bud. These sepals are different sizes and shapes. They grow bigger after the flower blooms.
The petals are joined together at the bottom to form a tube, about 2.5 to 3 centimeters (1.0 to 1.2 inches) long. This tube is red to bronze-colored and turns greenish-yellow near its base. Both the outside and inside of the flower tube are covered with tiny glandular hairs.
The plant usually flowers from June to November. After the flowers, small fruits appear. These fruits are oval or cone-shaped with a pointed end, about 0.8 to 1 centimeter (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. They have a pale brown, papery covering.
How it Got its Name
This plant was first officially described by a scientist named Bernard Dell in 1975.
Its scientific name, ramiflora, comes from two Latin words:
- ramus, which means "branch"
- flos, which means "flower"
This name refers to how the later flowers often appear on the older, leafless parts of the branches.
Where it Grows
Eremophila ramiflora likes to grow in rocky red clay soil. You can find it in areas between Leonora, Wiluna, and Carnegie in Western Australia. These areas are part of the Gascoyne, Gibson Desert, and Murchison regions.
Conservation Status
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Eremophila ramiflora is "not threatened." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
