Eremophila divaricata (F.Muell.) F.Muell.

Nomenclature and Growth Form

Eremophila divaricata (F.Muell.) F.Muell., commonly called spreading emu bush, is a spreading shrub that grows 0.5 to 1.5 metres (2 to 5 feet) tall and up to 2 metres (7 feet) wide.

Branch Characteristics

It has stiff, tangled branches that often end in a sharp spine.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are arranged alternately along the branches, are erect, linear to oblong in shape, mostly 5 to 20 millimetres (0.2 to 0.8 inches) long and 1 to 4 millimetres (0.04 to 0.2 inches) wide, and are usually glabrous and mid-green.

Flower Arrangement

Flowers are borne singly in leaf axils on a stalk 1 to 3 millimetres (0.04 to 0.1 inches) long.

Sepal Characteristics

There are 5 overlapping, egg-shaped to lance-shaped sepals that measure 4 to 7.5 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long.

Petal Structure

The petals are 22 to 28 millimetres (0.9 to 1 inch) long, joined at their lower end to form a tube.

Petal Coloration

Petals are mauve to pinkish lilac, rarely white, with purple spots or streaks inside the tube.

Petal Hairiness

The outer surface of the tube and petal lobes is covered in fine hairs; the inner surface of the lobes is glabrous, and the inside of the tube is filled with long, soft hairs.

Stamen Characteristics

Four stamens are fully enclosed within the petal tube.

Flowering Period and Fruit

Flowering occurs mostly from September to April, and is followed by oval-shaped, pointed, hairy fruits that are 3.6 to 6 millimetres (0.1 to 0.2 inches) long.

Distribution of Subspecies divaricata

Eremophila divaricata subsp. divaricata grows on the floodplains of the Murray, Paroo, Darling and lower Murrumbidgee rivers in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia.

Habitat of Subspecies divaricata

It often forms dense thickets in heavy clay soils within river red gum and black box plant communities.

Distribution of Subspecies callewatta

Subspecies callewatta is only known from a single location near Bourke.

Horticultural Branch Traits

In horticulture, spreading emu bush has arching branches that often reach ground level.

Horticultural Hardiness

It is a tough, hardy plant that is resistant to disease, though it is vulnerable to predation by kangaroos.

Pruning Response

Even after harsh pruning, the shrub recovers well.

Propagation and Soil Tolerance

It is easy to propagate from cuttings and can be grown in a range of soil types, including heavy clay.

Environmental Tolerance

Its natural habitat indicates it tolerates long dry periods followed by occasional flooding, and it can survive severe frosts.