Eremophila dichroantha

Bale-hook eremophila
E. dichroantha leaves and flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Eremophila
Species: E. dichroantha
Binomial name
Eremophila dichroantha
Diels[1]
Synonyms[2]

Eremophila dichroantha, also known as bale-hook eremophila, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with many ascending branches making the plant appear broom-like. It has small, hooked leaves and small, though abundant, violet to lilac-coloured flowers.

Description

Eremophila dichroantha is an erect shrub with many ascending branches which, although glabrous, have many raised glands. It grows to a height of 0.5–3 m (2–10 ft) and the ends of the branches and younger leaves are shiny and sticky due to the presence of resin. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems and are linear to almost needle-shaped, mostly 5–13 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long, about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with a curved, hooked tip on the end.[2][3][4]

The flowers are borne in groups of 3 to 5 in leaf axils on a stalk which is 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long and sticky when young. There are 5 overlapping, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, brownish sepals which are 2–3.5 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long. The sepals are glabrous except for the long hairs on their edges, are sticky and remain on the plant long after flowering has finished. The petals are 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) long and joined at their lower end to form a tube. They are a shade of violet to lilac-coloured, rarely white on the outside and white with violet spots inside the tube. The petal lobes are hairy on the outside and have short, flattened hairs on the inside. The petal tube is mostly glabrous on the outside while the inside of the tube is filled with long, spidery hairs. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed in the petal tube. Flowering occurs from August to November and is followed by fruit which are oval-shaped, hairy and 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long.[2][3][5]

E. dichroantha growing east of Ravensthorpe

Taxonomy and naming

The species was first formally described in 1904 by Ludwig Diels in Botanische Jahrbucher fur Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie.[1][6] The specific epithet (dichroantha) is derived from the Ancient Greek words δίχρως (díkhrōs) meaning “two-coloured”[7]:219 and ἄνθος (ánthos) meaning “flower”.[7]:338

Distribution and habitat

This eremophila is widespread and locally common between Balladonia, Esperance and Lake King[3] including the Cape Arid and Norseman areas[4] in the Coolgardie, Esperance Plains and Mallee biogeographic regions.[8]

Conservation

Eremophila dichroantha is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[8]

Use in horticulture

This eremophila is attractive with its arching branches and masses of blue to purple flowers in spring, followed by persistent sepals. It is difficult to grow from cuttings and seed but can be propagated more easily by grafting onto Myoporum rootstock. It will grow in most soils and in full sun or partial shade, is drought and frost resistant but should only be lightly pruned.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Eremophila dichroantha". APNI. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 211–213. ISBN 9781877058165.
  3. 1 2 3 Brown, Andrew; Buirchell, Bevan (2011). A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia (1st ed.). Hamilton Hill, W.A.: Simon Nevill Publications. p. 88. ISBN 9780980348156.
  4. 1 2 Archer, William. "Eremophila dichroantha". Esperance Wildflowers. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  5. 1 2 Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. p. 39. ISBN 9781876473655.
  6. ↑ Diels, Ludwig; Pritzel, Ernst Georg (1905). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse.". Botanische Jahrbucher fur Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 35: 541–542. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  8. 1 2 "Eremophila dichroantha". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
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