Eremophila scrobiculata explained

Eremophila scrobiculata is low, spreading shrub with sessile, linear leaves and lilac-coloured flowers and that is endemic to Western Australia. It grows on the slopes of low, stony hills on Wanna Station.

Description

Eremophila scrobiculata is a shrub that typically grows to high and wide. Its branches are glabrous and grey. The leaves are arranged alternately, clustered near the ends of the branches, sessile, more or less glabrous, linear but thickened, long and wide. The flowers are borne singly in leaf axils on a pedicel long. There are five triangular to lance-shaped, green sepals that are long and wide with a few scattered hairs. The petal tube is lilac-coloured, long and lacks spots. The four stamens are enclosed in the petal tube. Flowering mainly occurs from June to August but also at other times after rainfall.[1] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described in 2016 by Bevan Buirchell and Andrew Phillip Brown in the journal Nuytsia from specimens on Wanna Station (north of Mount Augustus National Park) in 2005.[3] The specific epithet (scrobiculata) is from the Latin scrobiculatus meaning "scrobiculate", or "furrowed or having the surface dotted all over with small round depressions" referring to the leaves.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Eremophila scrobiculata is only known from the type location where it grows on the slopes of small, stony hills in the Gascoyne biogeographic region.

Conservation

Eremophila scrobiculata classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Brown. Andrew. Buirchell. Bevan. A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia. 2011. Simon Nevill Publications. Hamilton Hill, W.A.. 9780980348156. 319. 1st.
  2. Buirchell . Bevan . Brown . Andrew P. . New species of Eremophila (Scrophulariaceae): thirteen geographically restricted species from Western Australia . Nuytsia . 2016 . 27 . 277–279 . 19 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Eremophila scrobiculata. APNI. 19 March 2020.
  4. Book: Francis Aubie Sharr. Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, Western Australia . 9780958034180 . 303.
  5. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. 19 March 2020.