Eremophila conferta
| Eremophila conferta | |
|---|---|
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| E. conferta growing near Mount Augustus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Eremophila |
| Species: | E. conferta
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| Binomial name | |
| Eremophila conferta | |
Eremophila conferta is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to a small area in the central west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with many tangled branches with leaves crowded near their ends and with mauve or purple flowers.
Description
[edit]Eremophila conferta is a shrub which usually grows to 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft) high with many tangled, dark brown branches which are often hidden, especially near their ends, by the leaves. The branches are covered with a layer of long, branched hairs. The leaves are arranged alternately, densely crowded and are covered with soft grey hairs. They are also elliptic to egg-shaped, mostly 12–25 mm (0.5–1 in) long, 6.5–13 mm (0.3–0.5 in) wide and have a distinct mid-vein on their lower surface.[2][3]
The flowers are borne singly in leaf axils on stalks 3–9 mm (0.1–0.4 in) long. There are 5 narrow, lance-shaped sepals, 7–13.5 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long which have a felt-like texture due to a covering of long, soft hairs. The petals are 18–28 mm (0.7–1 in) long and joined at their lower end to form a tube. The petal tube is purple, blue or lilac-coloured and white inside, with faint purple spots and is mostly glabrous. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed in the petal tube. Flowering occurs mostly from August to September and is followed by fruits which are oval-shaped, yellow-brown with a papery covering and are about 5.5–7.5 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long.[2][3]
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Taxonomy and naming
[edit]Eremophila conferta was first formally described by Robert Chinnock in 2007 and the description was published in Eremophila and Allied Genera: A Monograph of the Plant Family Myoporaceae.[4] The type specimen was collected by Chinnock about 4 km (2 mi) west of the Mount Augustus homestead on the lower slopes of Mount Augustus.[2][4] The specific epithet (conferta) is a Latin word meaning "crowded"[5] referring to the leaves of this species.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]This eremophila occurs between Kumarina and the Barlee Range in the Gascoyne biogeographic region[6] where it grows in stony soils on plains, and stony ridges.[3][7]
Conservation status
[edit]Eremophila conferta is classified as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife.[6]
Use in horticulture
[edit]This eremophila features soft grey foliage and showy flowers but is frost sensitive and will not tolerate humidity. It has been propagated by grafting onto Myoporum and grown in well-drained soil in a sunny position.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Eremophila conferta". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 507–508. ISBN 9781877058165.
- ^ a b c Brown, Andrew; Buirchell, Bevan (2011). A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia (1st ed.). Hamilton Hill, W.A.: Simon Nevill Publications. p. 67. ISBN 9780980348156.
- ^ a b "Eremophila conferta". APNI. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 227.
- ^ a b "Eremophila conferta". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 334. ISBN 0646402439.
- ^ Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. p. 79. ISBN 9781876473655.