Eremophila hamulata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is an erect, woody shrub with sticky branches, narrow, hooked leaves and hairy mauve-purple flowers.

Eremophila hamulata

Priority One — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Eremophila
Species:
E. hamulata
Binomial name
Eremophila hamulata

Description edit

Eremophila hamulata is an erect, woody shrub growing to about 1–2 m (40–80 in) tall and wide. The leaves are arranged alternately, scattered along the branches, more or less needle-shaped, 12–22 mm (0.5–0.9 in) long and about 1 mm (0.04 in) wide with a hooked end. The flowers are borne singly in leaf axils on a stalk 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long which is hairy near its base. There are five overlapping lance-shaped, sticky green sepals 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) wide. The petals are mauve-purple, 10–20 mm (0.4–0.8 in) long and joined at their lower end to form a flattened, bell-shaped tube which is hairy on the outside and has a tuft of hairs inside. The four stamens are enclosed by the petal tube. Flowering time is mainly from August to October.[2][3]

Taxonomy and naming edit

Eremophila hamulata was first formally described by Bevan Buirchell and Andrew Brown in 2016 and the description was published in Nuytsia.[4][2] The specific epithet (hamulata) is derived from the Latin word hamatus meaning "with hooks" or "hooked",[5] referring to the hooked end of the leaves.[2]

Distribution and habitat edit

This eremophila is found in scattered locations between McDermid Rock and Boorabbin Rock in the Coolgardie biogeographic region usually growing near granite outcrops or near creeks in woodland.[2][3][6]

Conservation status edit

Eremophila hamulata has been classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife,[6] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ "Eremophila hamulata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Buirchell, Bevan; Brown, Andrew P. (2016). "New species of Eremophila (Scrophulariaceae): thirteen geographically restricted species from Western Australia". Nuytsia. 27: 264–267.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Andrew; Buirchell, Bevan (2011). A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia (1st ed.). Hamilton Hill, W.A.: Simon Nevill Publications. p. 304. ISBN 9780980348156.
  4. ^ "Eremophila hamulata". APNI. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  5. ^ Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 420.
  6. ^ a b "Eremophila hamulata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  7. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 16 April 2017.