Eremophila chamaephila, commonly known as earth-loving poverty bush, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a low, dense, spreading shrub with small, fleshy leaves and mauve to purple flowers.
| Earth-loving eremophila | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Eremophila |
| Species: | E. chamaephila
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| Binomial name | |
| Eremophila chamaephila | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Description
editEremophila chamaephila is a low, spreading, densely foliaged shrub usually growing to 0.25 m (0.8 ft) high and 0.8 m (3 ft) wide. The leaves are arranged alternately along lumpy branches and are themselves lumpy on the lower side. They are mostly 2.5–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide and are dark green often purplish towards their end.[2][3]
The flowers are borne singly in leaf axils and lack a stalk. There are 5 linear to lance-shaped green or purplish sepals which are 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long and have a lumpy surface. The petals are 5.5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and joined at their lower end to form a tube. The petal tube is purple on its outside surface and white, spotted purple inside. The outer surface is glabrous, but the inside is hairy with the hairiness continuing onto the lower petal lobe and the 4 stamens extend slightly beyond the end of the petal tube. Flowering occurs between October and December and is followed by fruits which are almost spherical, about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) in diameter and are slightly fleshy, wrinkled when dry, and have a thin, hard, glabrous covering.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editThe species was first formally described by Ludwig Diels in 1905 and the description was published in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.[4][5] The specific epithet chamaephila means "lowly-" or "creeping-loving" referring to the low-growing habit of this species.[2][6]
Distribution and habitat
editEremophila chamaephila occurs north of Esperance in the area between Ravensthorpe and Grass Patch[3] in the Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions.[7] It grows in sand or clay, often in disturbed sites like roadsides.[8]
Conservation status
editEremophila chamaephila is classified as "Priority Three" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife,[7] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[9]
Use in horticulture
editEarth-loving poverty bush is an ideal small, compact shrub for a very low hedge, along the edge of a footpath or as an understorey container plant. It can be grown from cuttings, taking several months to form roots in warmer weather or can be grafted onto Myoporum species. It prefers well-drained soil but is drought tolerant and frost hardy.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "Eremophila chamaephila". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 232–234. 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. 57. ISBN 9780980348156.
- ^ "Eremophila chamaephila". APNI. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ Diels, Ludwig (1905). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 35 (3): 543. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 161. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ a b "Eremophila chamaephila". 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.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. p. 193. ISBN 9781876473655.