Eremophila duttonii

Eremophila duttonii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Scrophulariaceae
Genus:	Eremophila
Species:	E. duttonii
Binomial name
Eremophila duttonii F.Muell.[1]
Synonyms
Stenochilus duttonii (F.Muell.) Kraenzl. Bondtia duttonii Kuntze nom. inval. Bontia duttonii (F.Muell.) Kuntze Eremophila calycina S.Moore

Eremophila duttonii (Budda or Harlequin Fuchsia Bush) is a shrub or small tree which is native to inland Australia.

Description

Flower

It grows up to 3.5 metres in height and has narrow leaves which are 1.5 to 2 cm in length and 2.5 to 8 mm in width.The flowers, which occur from late winter to early summer, are red above and yellow below, or occasionally, all yellow.^[2]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described in 1859 by botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in Quarterly Journal and Transactions of the Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria The specific epithet honours Francis Dutton^[3] who later became Premier of South Australia.

Distribution

It occurs on red, sandy soils^[4] in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.^[2]

Uses

The Arrente people who call the plant aherre-intenhe, collect the leaves for medicinal use.^[5]

Cultivation

The species is seldom seen in cultivation. As it is difficult to propagate from both seed and cuttings, grafting on to rootsock of Myoporum species is often undertaken to produce new plants.^[3] It is slow growing and prefers a dry, well-drained sunny position.^[3] It can withstand moderate frosts.^[3]

References