Eremophila reticulata

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Eremophila reticulata
Eremophila reticulata (leaves and flowers).jpg
Eremophila reticulata leaves and flowers
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Eremophila
Species:
E. reticulata
Binomial name
Eremophila reticulata

Eremophila reticulata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a dense shrub with egg-shaped leaves, colourful sepals and white or pink flowers.

Contents

Description

Eremophila reticulata is a shrub with many tangled branches and which grows to a height of between 0.5 and 1.8 m (2 and 6 ft). The branches are covered with a layer of simple grey hairs which are pressed against the surface. The leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and are mostly 6.5–12 mm (0.3–0.5 in) long, 5–11 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide, elliptic to egg-shaped and covered with grey hairs which are sometimes obscured by drying resin. The leaves sometimes have a stalk which adds another 1–3.5 mm (0.04–0.1 in) to their length. [2] [3]

The flowers are borne singly or in pairs in leaf axils on hairy stalks, usually 10–16 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long. There are 5 overlapping, sticky, purplish or cream-coloured sepals which may have a pinkish tinge. They are lance-shaped to egg-shaped, about 9–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long but enlarge after flowering. The petals are 14–21 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and are joined at their lower end to form a tube. The petal tube is white, sometimes with a pink or lilac-coloured tinge and there are lilac to purple spots inside the tube and on the lower petal lobe. The petal tube and lobes are mostly glabrous except for the middle part of the lower lobe and inside the tube, both of which have long, soft hairs. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed in the petal tube. Flowering occurs from June to September and the fruit which follow are dry, oval to cone-shaped, ribbed, 5.5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and have a papery covering. [2] [3]

E. reticulata growing near Mount Augustus Eremophila reticulata (habit 1).jpg
E. reticulata growing near Mount Augustus
E. reticulata flower detail Eremophila reticulata (flower detail).jpg
E. reticulata flower detail
E. reticulata growing near "Dairy Creek" Eremophila reticulata (habit 2).jpg
E. reticulata growing near "Dairy Creek"

Taxonomy and naming

This species 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 specific epithet (reticulata) is a Latin word meaning "net-like" [5] referring to the ribs or veins on the surface of the fruit. [2]

Distribution and habitat

This eremophila grows on rocky hills and plains between Landor Station and the Barlee Range [3] in the Carnarvon, Gascoyne and Pilbara biogeographic regions. [6]

Conservation

Eremophila reticulata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife. [6]

Use in horticulture

This is one of the most attractive eremophilas when grown in suitable conditions. It is difficult to propagate from cuttings and most in cultivation have been grown by grafting onto Myoporum rootstock. It grows best in well-drained soil in a sunny position and is drought tolerant, only requiring an occasional watering during long dry spells but it is sensitive to frost. [7]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Eremophila rigida</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Eremophila spinescens</i> Species of flowering plant

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References

  1. ↑ "Eremophila reticulata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  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. 417–419. 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. 238. ISBN   9780980348156.
  4. ↑ "Eremophila reticulata". APNI. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 657.
  6. 1 2 "Eremophila reticulata". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  7. ↑ Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. p. 159. ISBN   9781876473655.
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