Eremophila interstans is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a shrub or small tree found in Western Australia and South Australia and has narrow leaves with a hooked end, and white or cream-coloured flowers.
| Eremophila interstans | |
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| Eremophila interstans subsp. interstans leaves and flowers | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Eremophila |
| Species: | E. interstans
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| Binomial name | |
| Eremophila interstans | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Pholidia interstans S.Moore | |
Description
editEremophila interstans is sometimes a broom-like shrub growing to a height of 2.5 m (8 ft) with many branches arising from near ground level, and sometimes a rounded shrub to small tree sometimes growing to a height of 6 m (20 ft). It branches point upwards and are rough and wrinkled. The leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and are linear in shape, 2–21.5 mm (0.08–0.8 in) long and 0.5–1.2 mm (0.02–0.05 in) wide, rough and sometimes covered with resin.[2][3]
The flowers are borne singly or in groups of up to 4 on flattened, sticky stalks 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. There are 5 cream-coloured, mostly glabrous, sticky, narrow elliptic to lance-shaped sepals which are 3–6.5 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long which sometimes have a reddish tinge. The petals are 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and are joined at their lower end to form a tube. The petal tube is white or cream-coloured, rarely lilac-coloured. Both the inside and outside of the tube and petal lobes are hairy although the hairs are of different kinds. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed in the petal tube. Flowering occurs from August to December, varying with subspecies and is followed by oval-shaped fruits which have crusty covering and are 2–3.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long.[2][3]
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Taxonomy and naming
editThe species was first formally described in 1899 by Spencer Le Marchant Moore who gave it the name Pholidia interstans. The description was published in Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany.[4][5] In 1904, Ludwig Diels and Ernst Georg Pritzel changed the name to Eremophila interstans.[6][7] When Moore described the species, he noted that it seemed to be intermediate between the two genera Eremophila and Pholidia recognised at the time. He therefore gave the specific epithet interstans, derived from the Latin words inter meaning "between" and stans "standing".[2][8]
Two subspecies are recognized in the Australian Plant Census:
- Eremophila interstans (S.Moore) Diels subsp. interstans[9] which is a shrub or small tree with leaves spreading at an angle to the branches, and cream-coloured flowers appearing between August and early October;[2][3]
- Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata (W.Fitzg.) Chinnock[10] which is a broom-shaped shrub with leaves often held against the branches by resin, and white flowers appearing between October and December.[2][3]
(Subspecies virgata was originally described by William Vincent Fitzgerald as Eremophila virgata.[11])
Distribution and habitat
editEremophila interstans subsp. interstans is common and widespread in red sand, sandy loam or clay between Balladonia and Southern Cross in the Coolgardie and Murchison biogeographic regions.[12][13] There is also a disjunct population on the Uno Range of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.[2][14] Subspecies virgata grows in clay or sandy loam between Norseman and Menzies in the Coolgardie and Murchison biogeographic regions.[13][15]
Conservation status
editBoth subspecies of E. interstans are classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[16]
Use in horticulture
editThis eremophila has a soft habit and a massed display of cream-coloured or lilac flowers in spring making it an attractive feature plant. It is a large shrub, sometimes a small tree, fast growing and useful as a windbreak, although it should be planted where it has room to grow. It can be propagated from cuttings from a young specimen or by grafting onto Myoporum rootstock. It will grow in most soils, including heavy clay, in either full sun or a partially shaded site and is both drought and frost tolerant.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b "Eremophila interstans". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 213–216. ISBN 9781877058165.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Andrew; Buirchell, Bevan (2011). A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia (1st ed.). Hamilton Hill, W.A.: Simon Nevill Publications. pp. 151–152. ISBN 9780980348156.
- ^ "Pholidia interstans". APNI. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Moore, Spencer Le Marchant (1899). "The Botanical Results of a Journey into the Interior of Western Australia". Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany. 34: 210–211. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans". APNI. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Diels, Ludwig; Pritzel, Ernst (1905). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 35: 540. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ Francis Aubie Sharr (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 225. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans subsp. interstans". APC. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata". APC. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
- ^ "Eremophila virgata". APNI. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans subsp. interstans". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ a b Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora : a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 337. ISBN 0646402439.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans". State Herbarium of South Australia: eflora. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans subsp. virgata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Eremophila interstans". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. pp. 42–43. ISBN 9781876473655.