Eremophila subangustifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eremophila subangustifolia |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
|
| Species: |
subangustifolia
|
Eremophila subangustifolia is a special kind of flowering plant that belongs to the figwort family. It grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a bushy shrub that can have a slightly strange smell. Its younger branches are covered in soft, greyish hairs. The leaves are spread out along the branches, and its mostly white flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. You can only find this plant in a small area near a town called Eneabba.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
Eremophila subangustifolia is a straight-growing shrub. It can grow to be about 1–2.5 m (3–8 ft) tall. When you get close, you might notice a slightly unusual smell. The younger branches of this plant are covered in soft, greyish hairs. As the plant gets older, these branches become smooth (which means they are glabrous).
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are long and thin, almost like tiny cylinders. They are about 6–17 mm (0.2–0.7 in) long and 0.5–1 mm (0.02–0.04 in) wide. The flowers grow one by one where each leaf joins the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk that is about 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long.
Around the base of each flower are five hairy, pointed leaf-like parts called sepals. These sepals are about 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. They press closely against the petals. The petals themselves are about 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long. They are joined together at the bottom to form a tube shape.
Petal Colors and Stamens
The outside of the petals can be pale lilac or purple. Inside, they are white and often have fawn-colored or purple spots. The petal tube and the parts that open up are smooth, except for a few hairs inside the tube. Inside the petal tube, there are four stamens (the parts that produce pollen). These stamens are completely hidden inside the tube.
When It Flowers and What Comes Next
This plant usually flowers from June to October. After the flowers, small, dry, oval-shaped fruits appear. These fruits are wrinkled, smooth, and about 2–2.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long.
This Eremophila plant looks a lot like another one called E. microtheca. In fact, it used to be known as E. microtheca with "narrow leaves." The main difference is that E. microtheca has flatter leaves.
How It Got Its Name
Taxonomy: The Science of Naming
The plant Eremophila subangustifolia was officially described for the first time in 2018. Two scientists, Andrew Brown and Tanya Llorens, studied a sample of the plant found near Eneabba. They then published its description in a science journal called Nuytsia.
What Does "Subangustifolia" Mean?
The second part of its scientific name, subangustifolia, tells us something special about the plant. It comes from Latin words:
- sub- means "somewhat"
- angustus means "narrow"
- -folius means "leaved"
So, subangustifolia means "somewhat narrow-leaved." This name helps us remember that its leaves are narrower compared to its similar plant cousin, E. microtheca.
Where Does It Grow?
Eremophila subangustifolia likes to grow in slightly salty soil. You can often find it near the edges of areas that get wet in winter, like flats or lakes. It grows near the town of Eneabba, in a region of Western Australia called the Geraldton Sandplains. This area includes places like Kalbarri and Eneabba.
Why Is It Important to Protect It?
This plant, Eremophila subangustifolia, is classified as "Threatened Flora" by the Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife. This means it is a very rare plant, and there are not many of them left in the wild. Because it's so rare, it needs special protection to make sure it doesn't disappear forever. Protecting these unique plants helps keep our natural world healthy and diverse.
