Eremophila lachnocalyx | |
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Eremophila lachnocalyx leaves and flowers | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
Genus: | Eremophila |
Species: | E. lachnocalyx |
Binomial name | |
Eremophila lachnocalyx | |
Eremophila lachnocalyx, commonly known as woolly-sepaled eremophila or woolly-calyxed eremophila [2] , is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect, spreading shrub with densely hairy, greyish leaves but its most distinctive feature is its densely woolly sepals.
Eremophila lachnocalyx is an erect shrub with many tangled branches growing to a height of 0.6–1.5 m (2–5 ft). Its branches and leaves are densely covered with mostly branched, woolly hairs giving them a greyish appearance. The leaves are clustered, often in dense spirals around the branches and are elliptic to egg-shaped, 3.5–10 mm (0.1–0.4 in) long, 2.5–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, and sometimes covered in resin so that they appear to be glabrous. [3] [4]
The flowers are borne singly in leaf axils on a straight, hairy stalk, 8.5–16 mm (0.3–0.6 in) long. There are 5 linear to tapering triangular sepals which are mostly 9–12.5 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long with their outer surface densely covered with a thick layer of woolly hairs. The petals are 13–25 mm (0.5–1 in) long and are joined at their lower end to form a tube. The petal tube is lilac-coloured to deep violet on the outside and white inside. The outside of the petal tube is mostly covered with hairs but the inside surface of the lobes is glabrous while the inside of the tube is woolly. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed in the petal tube. Flowering occurs from June to September and is followed by oval-shaped fruits which have a crusty, woolly covering and are 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. [3] [4]
Eremophila lachnocalyx was first formally described in 1942 by Charles Gardner and the description was published in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. [5] The specific epithet (lachnocalyx) is derived from Ancient Greek words meaning "woolly sepals". [3]
This eremophila grows on red-brown clay on flats or along drainage lines. It occurs in scattered populations between Sandstone, the Barlee Range and Karijini National Park in the Gascoyne, Murchison and Pilbara biogeographic regions. [3] [4] [6] [7]
This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [6]
Its silvery-grey foliage and masses of cottony buds followed by pale lilac-coloured to purple flowers make this one of the most attractive eremophilas. It can be propagated with difficulty from cuttings but most plants in cultivation have been grafted onto Myoporum rootstock. It grows best in well-drained soil and full sun and is tolerant of drought. It will survive lights frosts but in cold, damp climates is prone to fungal diseases. [8]
Eremophila nivea, commonly known as silky eremophila, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. In nature it is a rare shrub with hairy branches and leaves, and blue, purple or violet flowers.
Eremophila eriocalyx, commonly known as desert pride, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with greyish leaves, very hairy sepals and petals that range in colour from white to yellow, sometimes pink or purple.
Eremophila congesta is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to a small area in central areas of Western Australia. It is a grey-coloured shrub with crowded, hairy leaves and lilac-coloured flowers which are white inside.
Eremophila cordatisepala is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia. It is a small grey shrub with purple to lilac-coloured flowers which have heart-shaped sepals at their base.
Eremophila dendritica is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the south of Australia. It is a low, shrub with many tangled branches. Its branches, leaves and flowers are densely covered with hairs giving them a felty texture.
Eremophila fasciata, commonly known as spaghetti eremophila, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to a restricted area of Western Australia. It is a densely-foliaged shrub with grey, felty leaves and blue to violet-coloured flowers clustered at the tips of its branches.
Eremophila jucunda is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a small to medium-sized shrub with hairy branches and leaves, lance-shaped to egg-shaped leaves and cream-coloured, lilac or purple flowers.
Eremophila lanata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a small shrub with small, hairy leaves, densely hairy sepals and lilac to pinkish flowers.
Eremophila malacoides, commonly known as frontage poverty bush, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a shrub with grey-green foliage, densely hairy leaves, and usually lilac to purple flowers but a yellow flowered form also occurs.
Eremophila ovata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the Northern Territory. It is a small, spreading, rounded shrub with hairy branches and leaves and pink or purple flowers which are white inside.
Eremophila prolata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with a rounded top, prominently ridged, hairy branches, narrow leaves and white to deep lilac-coloured flowers.
Eremophila punctata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with sticky young branches and leaves due to the presence of resin. Its small leaves usually have a few blunt teeth near their ends and flowers which are usually lilac-coloured. It is a distinctive and widespread species.
Eremophila recurva is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is a shrub with hairy grey leaves, large grey sepals and blue, mauve or lilac flowers.
Eremophila retropila is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect, spreading shrub with hairy, greyish leaves crowded at the ends of the branches, and lilac or violet-coloured flowers which are white inside.
Eremophila revoluta is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a low, dense shrub with small, hairy leaves, very hairy sepals and mauve or purple petals.
Eremophila rhegos is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with densely hairy leaves and branches and blue, mauve, purple or white flowers.
Eremophila rigens is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect shrub with long, stiff, glabrous leaves and pale lilac-coloured to white flowers.
Eremophila spuria is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect, open shrub with narrow leaves and blue, lilac, purple or white flowers and is a common and widespread species.
Eremophila warnesii is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect, compact shrub with furry leaves, hairy sepals and blue to mauve petals. It is a little-known species, named after the founder of the Eremophila Study Group.
Eremophila subangustifolia is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a highly branched shrub which produces a slightly unpleasant odour and has its younger parts densely covered with greyish hairs. The leaves are scattered along the branches and the mostly white flowers are borne singly in leaf axils. It only occurs in a small area near Eneabba and had previously been known as E. microtheca subsp. 'narrow leaves'.