Eremophila santalina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila santalina |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
santalina
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| Synonyms | |
Eremophila santalina is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. This plant is special because it is endemic to South Australia. This means it grows naturally only in that area.
It is a shrub that stands upright. It has thin branches and smooth leaves. Its flowers are white or cream-coloured. Sometimes, they have a little bit of pink or purple.
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What Eremophila santalina Looks Like
Eremophila santalina is a shrub or small tree. It grows upright and has a rounded shape. It can reach a height of about 1 to 6 metres (3 to 20 feet). Often, its branches hang down a bit.
When the plant is young, its branches and leaves feel sticky. This is because they have a natural sticky substance called resin. The leaves are thin and bendy. They are shaped like a line or a spear. Some leaves might even look like a sickle. They get narrower at both ends. Most leaves are about 42 to 95 millimetres (1.7 to 3.7 inches) long. They are about 3.5 to 12 millimetres (0.14 to 0.47 inches) wide. The end of each leaf has a small hook.
The Flowers and Fruits
The flowers grow either one by one or in pairs. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower hangs on a smooth stalk that is about 10 to 21 millimetres (0.39 to 0.83 inches) long.
Each flower has five green, pointed sepals. These are small leaf-like parts that protect the bud. They are about 2 to 6 millimetres (0.08 to 0.24 inches) long. The petals are about 10 to 20 millimetres (0.39 to 0.79 inches) long. They are joined together at the bottom to form a tube shape.
The petal tube is white or cream-coloured. It often has a pinkish-purple tint. It does not have any spots. The outside of the petal tube and its tips are smooth. However, the inside of the lower tip has long, soft hairs. This lower tip is also raised up. This makes it close off the petal tube. Inside the petal tube are four stamens. These are the parts of the flower that make pollen.
Eremophila santalina usually flowers from July to October. After the flowers, the plant grows fruits. These fruits are almost round and a little bit fleshy. They are about 6 to 10.5 millimetres (0.24 to 0.41 inches) long. They have a shiny, smooth, yellowish-brown surface.
How Eremophila santalina Got Its Name
The first time this plant was officially described was in 1853. A scientist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it the name Pholidiopsis santalina. He published this description in a scientific paper called Linnaea.
Later, in 1860, Mueller changed the name. He renamed it Eremophila santalina. He published this change in another paper. The second part of the name, santalina, refers to how similar this plant looks. It looks like plants in the Santalaceae genus called Santalum.
Where Eremophila santalina Grows
Eremophila santalina grows in South Australia. You can find it on rocky hillsides. It also grows along stream beds. These areas are between Hawker and Mambray Creek. This is in the Mount Remarkable National Park. It is part of the Flinders Ranges and Eyre Peninsula plant regions.
Growing Eremophila santalina in Gardens
This large shrub is very appealing for gardens. Its branches hang down nicely. Its dark green leaves and hanging flowers are also very attractive.
You can grow new plants from cuttings. Cuttings are small pieces of the plant. However, it can take a while for the roots to grow. This plant can grow in different types of soil. It even grows in clay soil. But it grows faster in lighter soils. It needs to be in full sun.
Eremophila santalina is very good at handling dry conditions. It can also survive cold temperatures. What's special is that it can also handle high humidity. This means it grows well in places like Sydney and the coastal areas of Victoria.
