Westringia eremicola A.Cunn. ex Benth.

Growth Form

Westringia eremicola is a slender shrub that reaches a height of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in). Its leaves attach to stems via petioles 0.5–0.7 mm (0.020–0.028 in) long, and are most often arranged in whorls of three.

Leaf Shape & Size

Leaves are narrow-elliptic to linear in shape, typically measuring 8–20 mm (0.31–0.79 in) long and 0.8–1.6 mm (0.031–0.063 in) wide. Leaf margins are smooth and curved under, and both leaf surfaces bear more or less flattened, simple, upright hairs.

Flower Arrangement

Flowers grow in leaf axils.

Sepal Characteristics

Densely hairy sepals form a tube 2.5–4 mm (0.098–0.157 in) long, with triangular lobes 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long.

Bracteole Size

Bracteoles measure 0.8–2 mm (0.031–0.079 in) long.

Petal Characteristics

Petals are mauve, purple, or occasionally white, 6.5–8.5 mm (0.26–0.33 in) long, and have orange to brown spots in the flower throat.

Flowering Period

Flowering can occur at any time of year.

Fruit Characteristics

The fruit is a dark brown, woody capsule that grows up to 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long.

Distribution & Habitat

This species, commonly called slender westringia, grows in mallee habitats on sandy soils in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales.

Associated Flora

Its associated plant species include Calytrix tetragona, plus species from the genera Acacia, Daviesia, Leptospermum, Leucopogon, and Triodia.