Whorled eremophila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whorled eremophila |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremophila (plant)
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| Species: |
verticillata
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The Eremophila verticillata, also known as the whorled eremophila, is a unique flowering plant. It belongs to the figwort family, called Scrophulariaceae. This plant grows only in Western Australia, which means it is endemic there. It is a low, spreading, or rounded shrub that has a strong smell. Its small leaves are pressed close to the stem, and it produces beautiful purple flowers. The whorled eremophila is a rare plant, partly because its natural living areas have been cleared.
Contents
What it Looks Like
The whorled eremophila is a rounded or spreading shrub. It usually grows to be about 0.4 to 1.5 meters (1 to 5 feet) tall. It has a strong, slightly unusual smell. Its branches can be a bit hairy.
Leaves
The leaves of this plant are special. They grow in groups of three, called whorls, around the branches. Each whorl is placed in between the ones above and below it. The leaves are pressed tightly against the branches. They are also a bit thick or fleshy, and they are smooth (meaning they have no hairs). The leaves are shaped like an oblong, and they can be green or purplish. They are usually 2.5 to 6 millimeters (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches) long and about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) wide.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. They do not have a stalk. Each flower usually has four green, thin, or spear-shaped sepals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. These sepals are about 1 to 5 millimeters (0.04 to 0.2 inches) long and can be a bit hairy.
The petals are the colorful parts of the flower. They are mostly 8 to 11 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. At their bottom, the petals join together to form a tube. This petal tube is light purple on the outside. Inside, it is white with purple spots. The outside of the petal tube and its parts (called lobes) are hairy. The inside of the tube and the bottom lobe are covered with long hairs, while the other lobes are smooth. The four stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen, are completely hidden inside the petal tube.
This plant flowers between November and January. After the flowers, it produces fruits. These fruits are dry, woody, and shaped like an oval with a pointed end. They are about 2 to 3 millimeters (0.08 to 0.1 inches) long and have a hairy covering.
How it Got its Name
The whorled eremophila was first officially described by a scientist named Robert Chinnock in 1986. He published his description in a scientific paper called Nuytsia. The second part of its scientific name, verticillata, comes from a Latin word meaning 'whorled'. This refers to how the leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem.
Where it Lives
The whorled eremophila grows in soil that is a mix of loam and limestone. It lives in woodland areas near a place called Newdegate in the Mallee region. This plant used to grow between Kalgarin and Pingaring. However, that group of plants is now thought to be gone. This happened because their land was cleared in 1980.
Protecting the Plant
The whorled eremophila is considered a "Threatened Flora" by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia). This means it is a very rare plant that needs protection. The Australian Government also lists it as "Endangered" (EN) under a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). An early plan has been made to help this plant recover.
In 2003, scientists estimated there were only about 567 mature whorled eremophila plants left. Some of the things that threaten these remaining plants include mining, damage from vehicles, and other plants (weeds) growing where they shouldn't.
Growing Whorled Eremophila in Gardens
Some of these plants have been grown in gardens for over 30 years. They are quite tough, which means they could be good for gardens that don't need a lot of care. They also make great plants for pots.
It's fairly easy to grow new plants from cuttings (small pieces of the plant). The shrub can grow in many different types of soil. This includes soils that are a little bit salty or those made of clay. It grows well in full sunshine or in partial shade. It can also handle very cold temperatures (frost) and usually doesn't need watering, even during a long dry period.
