Eremophila cuneata is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to the Shark Bay area of Western Australia. It is a rarely-seen, small shrub with wedge-shaped leaves and white to cream-coloured flowers.
| Eremophila cuneata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae |
| Genus: | Eremophila |
| Species: | E. cuneata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eremophila cuneata | |
Description
editEremophila cuneata is a low shrub with many tangled, lumpy branches with sticky tips, growing to a height of about 1 m (3 ft). The leaves are arranged alternately along the stems and are 9.5–23 mm (0.4–0.9 in) long, about 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide, thick, fleshy and wedge-shaped.[2][3]
The flowers are only known from one immature flower on the type specimen. Flowers are apparently borne singly in leaf axils on a stalk 2.5–5.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. There are 5 narrow triangular sepals which are 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long. The petals are 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and joined at their lower end to form a short tube so that the flowers resemble those in the genus Myoporum. The petal tube is white or cream-coloured and glabrous. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed within the tube. Flowering occurs from November to December and is followed by fruits which are fleshy, oval-shaped to almost spherical and 6–7 millimetres (0.2–0.3 in) long.[2][3]
Taxonomy and naming
editThe species 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. The type specimen was collected by Malcolm Trudgen near Steep Point.[4] The specific epithet (cuneata) is a Latin word meaning "wedge-shaped", referring to the shape of the leaves.[2][3]
Distribution and habitat
editEremophila cuneata is known from only three plants seen by Malcolm Trudgen in the Steep Point area growing below limestone outcrops in calcareous sand[3] in the Yalgoo biogeographic region.[5][6]
Conservation status
editEremophila cuneata is classified as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife,[5] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations which are potentially at risk.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Eremophila cuneata". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ 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. 194–195. ISBN 9781877058165.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Andrew; Buirchell, Bevan (2011). A field guide to the eremophilas of Western Australia (1st ed.). Hamilton Hill, W.A.: Simon Nevill Publications. p. 72. ISBN 9780980348156.
- ^ "Eremophila cuneata". APNI. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Eremophila cuneata". 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. 334. ISBN 0646402439.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 4 January 2016.