About Eremophila scoparia (R.Br.) F.Muell.
Eremophila scoparia is a broom-like shrub that grows to between 1 and 3 meters (3 and 10 feet) in height. Its branches and leaves are covered in yellowish or silvery-grey scaly hairs, though individual scales are indistinct, so the plant’s surface may appear glabrous. Leaves are mostly arranged in opposite pairs, shaped linear to almost cylindrical, and S-shaped when viewed from the side. Most leaves are 4–25 mm (0.2–1 in) long, 0.8–2.5 mm (0.03–0.1 in) wide, and have a hooked tip. Flowers grow singly or in pairs in leaf axils, on a stalk 2–6 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long that bears the same scaly covering as the leaves. There are 5 linear sepals, 1.5–3.5 mm (0.06–0.1 in) long, covered in the same scaly covering on the outside, but hairy on the inner surface. Petals are 8–25 mm (0.31–0.98 in) long, joined at the lower end to form a tube. The outside of the petal tube is blue, lilac, pink or white, while the inside is white with yellow spots. The outer surface of the petal tube and its lobes are covered in scaly hairs. The inside of the lobes is glabrous except for branched hairs near their edges, and the inside of the tube is densely filled with long, soft hairs. The 4 stamens are fully enclosed within the petal tube. Flowering can occur throughout the year, but peaks between August and October. The fruits are dry and woody, ranging in shape from oval to cone-shaped to almost spherical, and are slightly fleshy. They are 3.3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and have a scaly covering. This species, commonly called silver emu bush, is distributed across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. In Western Australia, it occurs between Merredin and Echuca in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Great Victoria Desert, Hampton, Mallee, Murchison and Nullarbor biogeographic regions. In South Australia, it grows in the North-Western, Lake Eyre, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty and Murray botanical regions. In Victoria it is found only in the north-western corner, and in New South Wales it occurs south from Wilcannia. It can grow in a wide range of soils, is common in mulga, mallee and chenopod plant communities, and is often the dominant shrub in these areas. In horticulture, this eremophila is valued for its broom-like shape and pale to deep lilac flowers. It can be propagated from cuttings or by grafting onto Myoporum rootstock. It grows best in well-drained soil in either full sun or part shade. It tolerates drought, even the harshest frost, and can be pruned to maintain its shape or rejuvenate older specimens.
