Eremophila stenophylla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila stenophylla |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
stenophylla
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Eremophila stenophylla is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. This plant is special because it grows naturally only in Queensland, Australia. It looks like a broom-shaped bush or a small tree. It has thin leaves and pretty flowers that can be pink or a reddish-brown color. You can find it in the far south-west part of Queensland.
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What it Looks Like
Eremophila stenophylla is a shrub or small tree that can grow quite tall, up to 6 m (20 ft) (about 20 feet). Its branches and leaves are covered with shiny, silvery-grey scales, especially when they are young.
The leaves grow in pairs, one across from the other. They are long and thin, like a line, and can be flat or almost round with a curved tip. Most of these leaves are about 47–67 mm (2–3 in) long and only about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide.
The flowers grow one or two at a time where the leaves meet the stem. They sit on short stalks, about 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, which are also covered in silvery scales. Each flower has 5 narrow, triangle-shaped sepals (these are like small leaves that protect the bud). The sepals are scaly on the outside and a bit hairy on the inside.
The petals of the flower are 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and are joined together at the bottom to form a tube. This tube can be pink, a dull reddish-brown, or sometimes even yellow. The outside of the petal tube is scaly, and the inside of the petal tips is hairy. The inside of the tube itself is full of soft hairs. There are 4 stamens (the parts that make pollen) that stick out a little bit from the end of the tube. After the flowers bloom, they turn into dry, cylinder-shaped fruits that are about 13–16 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long and have a papery covering.
How it Got its Name
This plant was officially described for the first time in 2007 by a scientist named Robert Chinnock. He wrote about it in his book, Eremophila and Allied Genera: A Monograph of the Plant Family Myoporaceae.
The plant's scientific name, stenophylla, tells us something about it. It comes from two ancient Greek words: steno-, which means 'narrow', and phyllon, which means 'a leaf'. So, stenophylla basically means 'narrow-leaved', which is a perfect description for this plant!
Where it Grows and Lives
This type of eremophila plant grows in central Queensland and stretches south towards places like Yowah and Thylungra. It usually likes to grow in Acacia woodlands. You can often find it in rocky areas with thin soil or along the edges of rivers and streams.
Protecting the Plant
Eremophila stenophylla is considered a "vulnerable" plant. This means it's not in immediate danger of disappearing, but it could become endangered if we don't protect it. The Queensland Nature Conservation Act (1992) helps to protect this plant and its habitat.
Using it in Gardens
This eremophila plant is a good choice if you want to create a screen or a windbreak in a garden. It lives for a long time, but it grows slowly. Its pink or red flowers are very attractive.
You can grow new plants from cuttings (taking a piece of the plant and helping it grow roots) or by grafting it onto a Myoporum rootstock (joining it to the root system of another plant). This plant is not too picky about soil and can grow well in full sun or partial shade. It only needs water occasionally during long dry periods and can handle frosts very well.
