Eremophila canaliculata
Eremophila canaliculata | |
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E. canaliculata growing near Newman | |
Scientific classification | |
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Species: | E. campanulata
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Binomial name | |
Eremophila canaliculata Chinnock[1]
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Eremophila canaliculata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to an area near Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is a low, compact and highly aromatic shrub with serrated leaves and mauve to blue flowers.
Description
Eremophila canaliculata is a low, spreading, densely foliaged and highly aromatic shrub growing to about 0.6 m (2 ft) high and 1 m (3 ft) wide. The leaves are arranged alternately and crowded near the ends of the branches. They are mostly 23–42 mm (0.9–2 in) long, 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) wide, and densely hairy, their margins are serrated and there is a groove along the centre of the upper surface.[2][3]
The flowers are borne in groups of up to 3 in leaf axils and lack a stalk. There are 5 greenish-yellow, lance-shaped sepals which are 10–17.5 mm (0.4–0.7 in) long. The petals are 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) long and joined at their lower end to form a tube. The tube is white to lilac or blue, densely hairy on the outside and the 4 stamens do not extend beyond the petal tube. Flowering mostly occurs from June to September and is followed by fruit which are dry, oval to almost spherical with a hairy, papery covering and are 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
Eremophila canaliculata 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.[1] The type specimen was collected by Chinnock about 10 km (6 mi) east south east of Cobra.[1] The specific epithet (canaliculata) is a Latin word meaning "channelled' or "grooved".[4]
Distribution and habitat
This eremophila occurs between Newman and the Kennedy Range in the Gascoyne and Pilbara biogeographic regions where it grows in sandy soils and on stony flats and rocky hillsides.[2][3][5][6]
Conservation
Eremophila canaliculata is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[5]
Use in horticulture
This eremophila has not been in cultivation for a long time and its requirements are not well known but probably requires a well drained soil. It has been successfully propagated by grafting onto Myoporum species. Its natural environment suggests it needs summer watering and it is known to be frost sensitive.[7]
References
- ^ a b c "Eremophila canaliculata". APNI. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ 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. 352–354. 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. 55. ISBN 9780980348156.
- ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 274.
- ^ a b "Eremophila canaliculata". 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. 333. ISBN 0646402439.
- ^ Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. p. 192. ISBN 9781876473655.