About Eremophila latrobei F.Muell.
Eremophila latrobei F.Muell. is usually an erect, many-branched shrub, though it may sometimes be straggly or spindly. It typically grows between 0.5 and 4 metres (2 to 10 feet) in height. Its branches are rough due to persistent leaf bases, and are usually glabrous except when they are immature. Leaves are arranged alternately along the branches, and vary in shape from thread-like to lance-shaped with the narrower end toward the base. They also range from needle-shaped to flat, and are mostly 9 to 50 millimetres (0.4 to 2 inches) long and 0.7 to 3.5 millimetres (0.03 to 0.1 inches) wide. Flowers are usually borne singly in leaf axils, on a hairy, curved stalk that is 5 to 11 millimetres (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long. There are 5 lance-shaped, green or purple sepals with hairy edges; sepals are mostly 10 to 19 millimetres (0.4 to 0.7 inches) long, and increase in size after flowering. Petals are mostly 20 to 32 millimetres (0.8 to 1 inch) long, and are joined at their lower end to form a tube. The petal tube is red to purple-red, and rarely yellow or cream-coloured. Scattered glandular hairs cover the inside and outside of the tube and the petal lobes. The four stamens extend beyond the end of the petal tube. Flowering occurs mainly from March to October, and is followed by fruits. The fruits are dry, woody, oval-shaped to conical, and hairy; they are 6.5 to 8 millimetres (0.26 to 0.31 inches) long, with a papery, sometimes sticky covering. For distribution and habitat, subspecies latrobei and glabra are widespread, occurring in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. In New South Wales, subspecies glabra is only found in the far north-west corner of the state, near Tibooburra. Both subspecies grow in a wide range of habitats and vegetation associations; subsp. latrobei favours mulga and mallee woodland, while subsp. glabra prefers sand plain. Subspecies filiformis is mainly found in the Hamersley Range, though isolated populations occur in the Central Ranges, Gibson Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Murchison, Ord Victoria Plain, Pilbara and Tanami biogeographic regions. Commonly called crimson turkey bush, this species is well known in cultivation. It is a variable species, so growing several forms together can add variety to a garden, as well as attract nectar-feeding birds. It can be propagated from cuttings or by grafting onto Myoporum rootstock, and only needs occasional watering. Its frost tolerance depends on the form grown, so it is best grown in a frost-free area. It will grow in more humid areas, but requires full sun.
