Eremophila lachnocalyx
Eremophila lachnocalyx leaves and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this 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.

Description

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]

E. lachnocalyx growing at the Nannine townsite

Taxonomy and naming

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]

Distribution and habitat

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]

Conservation status

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

Use in horticulture

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]

References

  1. ↑ "Eremophila lachnocalyx". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  2. ↑ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Eremophila lachnocalyx (Woolly-Calyxed Eremophila)". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Chinnock, R.J. (Bob) (2007). Eremophila and allied genera : a monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae (1st ed.). Dural, NSW: Rosenberg. pp. 539–540. ISBN 9781877058165.
  4. 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. 158. ISBN 9780980348156.
  5. ↑ "Eremophila lachnocalyx". APNI. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Eremophila lachnocalyx". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  7. ↑ Paczkowska, Grazyna; Chapman, Alex R. (2000). The Western Australian flora: a descriptive catalogue. Perth: Wildflower Society of Western Australia. p. 337. ISBN 0646402439.
  8. ↑ Boschen, Norma; Goods, Maree; Wait, Russell (2008). Australia's eremophilas : changing gardens for a changing climate. Melbourne: Bloomings Books. pp. 113–115. ISBN 9781876473655.
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