Eremophila (plant)
| Eremophila | |
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| Eremophila maculata | |
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| Genus: | Eremophila |
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Eremophila is a genus of more than 260 species of plants in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae all of which are endemic to mainland Australia. (One species, Eremophila debilis is thought to be a recent arrival in New Zealand). Eremophilas are widespread in the arid areas of Australia, especially Western Australia and range in size from low-growing shrubs to small trees. The petals are joined, at least at their bases, into a tube with the upper petals different in size and shape from the lower ones. Some species have common names including emu bush, poverty bush or fuchsia bush, reflecting the belief that emus eat the fruit, their arid environment or a superficial resemblance to the flowers of plants in the genus Fuchsia.
Description
Eremophilas vary in size and habit from low, prostrate shrubs to small trees in the case of Eremophila bignoniiflora. Leaf size and shape is also variable but the leaves are usually small and are often shiny or hairy. The petals are joined into a tube, at least at the base. The tube has two upper lobes and three lower lobes which are usually different in size and or shape. As the flower ages, the corolla falls off then the calyx enlarges and becomes coloured as the fruit enlarges.[2][3][4]
Taxonomy and naming
The genus Eremophila was first formally described in 1810 by the botanist Robert Brown in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae[1][5][6] and the first species to be named were E. oppositifolia and E. alternifolia but Brown did not nominate a type species. The Victorian government botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller was the most influential early naturalist to take an interest in the genus and described 47 species, many of which were collected during expeditions to remote areas of Australia. Robert Chinnock is the modern authority who has named more than 100 species of eremophilas but because many species grow in rarely visited places, more remain to be named. So far, 219 species have been described but more than another 40 have been discovered but not yet described. The most recent addition to the list is Eremophila koobabbiensis which was described in 2011.[7] In 2015, specimens of 5 new species have been collected, added to the census of Western Australian plants and await formal description.[8]
The name Eremophila is derived from the Ancient Greek ἐρῆμος (erêmos) meaning "lonely" or "desert"[9] and φίλος (phílos) meaning “dear" or "beloved”[10] alluding to the species' adaptation to arid environments.[11]
Distribution and habitat
Eremophilas are distributed across the Australian mainland, primarily in arid regions and the majority of species occur in Western Australia. Eremophila maculata is found in all Australian states but there are no eremophilas in Tasmania. Eremophila debilis is found in New Zealand although its appearance there is thought to be recent, most likely as a recent of introduction by people.[3][12]
At least 229 species are found in Western Australia and about 80% of those are endemic to that state. They are most common in arid areas - in the Meekatharra-Wiluna area there are more than 50 eremophila species and are the most common shrubs encountered. A few species, including E. complanata and E. mirabilis have very restricted distributions and only occur on one or two rocky outcrops.[7]
Ecology
Eremophila includes entomophilous species, with flowers adapted to attract insects, and ornithophilous species, with flowers that attract birds. Entomophilous flowers have protruding lower lips, which provide a landing area for insects, and they are often blue, purple, or white. Bird-adapted flowers are red, orange, yellow, or green, and have lobes pointing downwards which discourages insects. Bird pollinated species also tend to have longer stamens, which brush pollen onto and off the bird's head as it feeds.[3] The fruits are eaten by emus, which disperse the seeds in their droppings[3] although the belief that this aids in the germination of the seeds is mistaken.[4]
Some species of Eremophila, such as E.freelingii and E.latrobei are toxic to stock whereas others, including E.bignoniiflora and E.oppositifolia are useful fodder plants.[4]
Uses
Indigenous uses
Aboriginal people used eremophilas for cultural and health reasons. For example, the Adnyamathanha people used Varti-varka (Eremophila longifolia) in burial ceremonies and in initiation ceremonies. Skin complaints were treated with a mixture of emu oil and the ash from burned bark of the plant.[4]
Use in horticulture
Some species of Eremophila are well known in native gardens, including Eremophila maculata. They are generally difficult to propagate from seed but easier from cuttings.[13][14][15] It is possible to germinate eremophila seeds but the process involves either leaving the fruit in the ground for long periods or removing the seed from the fruit without damaging the seed.[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Genus: Eremophila R. Br". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area.
- ^ Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. p. 180. ISBN 9781877058165. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d Moore, P. (2005). Plants of Inland Australia. Reed New Holland. ISBN 187633486X.
- ^ a b c d "Eremophila and it relatives - background". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ "Eremophila". APNI. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae (Volume 1) (PDF). London. p. 518. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ a b Brown, Andrew; Buirchell, Bevan (2011). A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia. Hamilton Hill, W.A.: Simon Nevill Publications. ISBN 9780980348156.
- ^ Parker, Cheryl M.; Percy-Bower, Julia M. (31 March 2016). "Updates to Western Australia's vascular plant census for 2015". Nuytsia. 27: 1–20.
- ^ "ἐρῆμος". Wiktionary. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ "-phila". Wiktionary. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ "Eremophila alternifolia". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 228–229. ISBN 9781877058165.
- ^ "Eremophila and its Relatives - Propagation". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Wrigley, John W.; Fagg, Murray (1983). Australian native plants : a manual for their propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping (2nd ed.). Sydney: Collins. p. 212. ISBN 0002165759.
- ^ Jennings, Colin. "Eremophila: The Emu Bush". Australian Native Plants Society Australia. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ Cochrane, Anne. "Seed notes for Western Australia: 5 - Eremophila" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
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