Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms → Eudicots → Asterids
- Order: Lamiales
- Family: Scrophulariaceae (formerly Myoporaceae)
- Genus: Eremophila
- Species: Eremophila lanata
- Authority: Chinnock
Description
Eremophila lanata is a compact to spreading shrub that typically attains heights of 0.3–1.5 m. The species is characterised by:
- Leaves: Small, linear to narrowly elliptic, 3–10 mm long, densely covered with a woolly (lanate) indumentum that gives the foliage a grey‑green appearance.
- Flowers: Solitary in the axils of the leaves, borne on short pedicels. The corolla forms a tubular shape, usually 10–15 mm long, with lobes that spread slightly at the mouth. Flower colour ranges from pale lilac to white, and the tube is often hairy inside.
- Fruit: A small, dry, indehiscent capsule containing numerous minute seeds.
Distribution and Habitat
Eremophila lanata is endemic to Western Australia. Verified records place the species in the Pilbara and adjacent north‑western regions, where it occurs on stony or sandy substrates, often on rocky outcrops and near drainage lines. The plant is adapted to arid to semi‑arid climates typical of these inland locales.
Ecology
The woolly leaf surface reduces water loss and reflects intense sunlight, adaptations consistent with survival in xeric environments. Flowers are presumed to be pollinated by insects, a common pollination mode within the genus, though specific pollinator observations for this species are not documented in primary sources.
Conservation Status
According to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Western Australia), Eremophila lanata is classified as Priority Two (P2)—meaning it is poorly known and from only one or a few locations, but not currently threatened. Ongoing field surveys are required to refine its status.
Uses
There are no widely reported horticultural, medicinal, or economic uses for Eremophila lanata. Its ornamental potential is comparable to other Eremophila species valued for drought‑tolerant foliage and attractive flowers, but it has not entered commercial cultivation.
References
- Australian Plant Census. Eremophila lanata Chinnock.
- Chinnock, R.J. (2007). Eremophila and allied genera: A monograph of the plant family Myoporaceae. Australian Biological Resources Study.
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia. FloraBase—The Western Australian Flora.
All information presented is derived from recognized botanical references and government conservation listings.
