Eremophila reticulata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eremophila reticulata
Eremophila reticulata leaves and flowers
Scientific classification
Genus:	Eremophila (plant)
Species:	reticulata

Eremophila reticulata is a beautiful flowering plant found only in Western Australia. It's part of the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. This plant is a thick shrub with egg-shaped leaves, colorful parts called sepals, and white or pink flowers.

What it Looks Like

Eremophila reticulata is a shrub with many branches that grow tangled together. It can reach a height of about 0.5 to 1.8 meters (1.6 to 5.9 feet). Its branches are covered with soft, grey hairs that lie flat against the surface.

The leaves grow one after another along the branches. They are usually 6.5 to 12 millimeters (0.26 to 0.47 inches) long and 5 to 11 millimeters (0.20 to 0.43 inches) wide. Their shape is like an oval or an egg. These leaves are also covered with grey hairs, which can sometimes be hidden by a sticky, dry sap. Some leaves have a small stalk that adds another 1 to 3.5 millimeters (0.039 to 0.138 inches) to their length.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers grow either alone or in pairs where the leaves meet the stem. They sit on hairy stalks that are usually 10 to 16 millimeters (0.39 to 0.63 inches) long. Each flower has five sticky, purplish or cream-colored sepals that overlap. These sepals are shaped like a spear or an egg and are about 9 to 13 millimeters (0.35 to 0.51 inches) long. They get bigger after the flower blooms.

The petals are 14 to 21 millimeters (0.55 to 0.83 inches) long and are joined at the bottom to form a tube. This petal tube is white, sometimes with a hint of pink or purple. Inside the tube and on the lower petal, you can see lilac to purple spots. The petals are mostly smooth, except for the middle part of the lower petal and inside the tube, which have long, soft hairs. The four stamens (the parts that make pollen) are completely hidden inside the petal tube.

This plant flowers from June to September. After flowering, it produces dry, oval or cone-shaped fruits. These fruits are ribbed, about 5.5 to 7 millimeters (0.22 to 0.28 inches) long, and have a papery covering.

Plant Name and History

This plant was officially described for the first time in 2007 by a scientist named Robert Chinnock. He published his description in a book about Eremophila plants.

The second part of the plant's scientific name, reticulata, comes from a Latin word. It means "net-like." This refers to the ribs or veins that look like a net on the surface of the fruit.

Where it Grows

This Eremophila plant grows on rocky hills and flat areas in Western Australia. You can find it between a place called Landor Station and the Barlee Range. It grows in the Carnarvon, Gascoyne, and Pilbara areas. These are special natural regions with their own types of plants and animals.

Looking After the Plant

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Eremophila reticulata is "not threatened." This means there are enough of these plants in the wild, and they are not in danger of disappearing.

Growing it in Gardens

This plant is one of the most beautiful Eremophila types to grow in a garden, as long as it has the right conditions. It can be tricky to grow new plants from cuttings (small pieces of the plant). Most of the plants grown in gardens have been created by grafting. This is a special method where a piece of Eremophila reticulata is joined onto the rootstock (the root system) of another plant, often a Myoporum.

Eremophila reticulata grows best in soil that drains water well and in a sunny spot. It can handle dry conditions, so it only needs water sometimes during long dry periods. However, it doesn't like frost, so it needs protection from very cold weather.

Images for kids

• 

  E. reticulata growing near Mount Augustus

• 

  E. reticulata flower detail

• 

  E. reticulata growing near "Dairy Creek"