Eremophila rostrata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila rostrata |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
rostrata
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Eremophila rostrata is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. You can only find it growing naturally in Western Australia. This plant is a tall bush with leaves shaped like cylinders. It has small green parts called sepals and smooth, pink to deep red petals. There are two types, or subspecies, of this plant. Both of them are in great danger of disappearing forever.
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Discovering Eremophila rostrata
Eremophila rostrata is a thick, round bush with dark green leaves. It can grow to be about 1.2 to 3.5 metres (4 to 11 feet) tall. Its branches are smooth and have many raised bumps. They are also sticky because of a natural sap called resin. The leaves grow one after another along the branches. They are shaped like cylinders with a thin groove on both the top and bottom. These sticky leaves are usually 25 to 40 millimetres (1 to 2 inches) long and about 1 millimetre (0.04 inches) wide.
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. They are on flat, smooth stalks that are 6 to 7 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long. Each flower has 5 sepals, which are small, green, leaf-like parts. These sepals are about 2 millimetres (0.08 inches) long and shaped like a spear or triangle. The petals are 25 to 30 millimetres (1 to 1.2 inches) long. They join together at the bottom to form a tube. This tube is deep pink to red on the outside and pale pink inside. Both the tube and the petal tips are smooth, except for a few hairs inside the tube. The four parts that hold pollen, called stamens, reach as far as the petal tips.
The time when the plant flowers depends on its type. After flowering, the plant produces dry fruits. These fruits are 12 to 20 millimetres (0.5 to 0.8 inches) long. They have a clear point at the end and are covered in a papery layer.
Naming and Types of Eremophila rostrata
The plant was officially named Eremophila rostrata by Robert Chinnock in 2007. He wrote about it in his book, Eremophila and Allied Genera: A Monograph of the Plant Family Myoporaceae. The second part of its name, rostrata, comes from a Latin word. It means "curved" or "beaked." This describes the shape of the plant's fruits.
In the same book, Chinnock described two different types, or subspecies, of Eremophila rostrata. Both of these types are recognized by the Australian Plant Census.
- Eremophila rostrata subsp. rostrata: This type usually flowers from June to September. Its leaves are typically 20 to 40 millimetres (0.8 to 1.6 inches) long. They have a single sharp point at the end. The flowers are usually 24 to 30 millimetres (0.9 to 1.2 inches) long.
- Eremophila rostrata subsp. trifida: This type flowers from August to October. Its leaves are mostly 50 to 75 millimetres (2 to 3 inches) long. They have three sharp points near the end. The flowers are mostly 15 to 22 millimetres (0.6 to 0.9 inches) long.
Where Eremophila rostrata Grows
The subspecies rostrata grows on a few rocky hills and flat areas. You can find it near the town of Cue in the Murchison region of Western Australia. It also grows in parts of the Carnarvon, Gascoyne, and Little Sandy Desert regions.
The subspecies trifida grows in tough, sandy soil. It is found near the town of Perenjori in the Avon Wheatbelt region.
Protecting Eremophila rostrata
Both types of E. rostrata are listed as "critically endangered." This means they are at very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. This listing is under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In 2008, experts believed there were only about 90 adult plants left. They covered a total area of about 1 square kilometre (0.4 square miles).
The biggest dangers to this plant are mining activities and road maintenance. Animals eating the plants, or grazing, also causes harm. A special plan has been created to help these plants recover and survive.
Growing Eremophila rostrata in Gardens
Even though it is critically endangered, some people have grown this bush in their gardens for over 20 years. It is a lovely plant with its dark green leaves. These leaves look great with the bright pink flowers that appear in spring. Sometimes, flowers can even bloom in other months.
You can grow new plants from small pieces cut from the bush, called cuttings. However, these cuttings can be slow to start growing roots. It is often easier to join a piece of Eremophila rostrata onto the roots of a Myoporum plant. This process is called grafting. The plant grows best in soil that drains water well. It also needs a sunny spot or a place with some shade. It does not need much water, even during long dry periods. Watering it just once or twice during a drought is usually enough. It can also handle a bit of frost.
