SCROPHULARIACEAE

n/a

Shrub to small tree, up to 8 m high. Narrow drooping leaves 3-20 cm long, drooping branches. Mature bark dark-grey, rough, divided into squarish segments. Pinkish to reddish-brown flowers with white spots, most of year.

Various communities, mainly plains, sandy or loam soils in Grey Box, White Cypress Pine, Boree, and Mallee communities. Prefers well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers 300 – 500 mm rainfall in the Riverina.

Collect early Jan-late Mar, seeds released in 3-14 days. Fruits collected from beneath plants. Difficult to germinate, propagate from seed or cuttings (slow to root). Disturbing roots promotes suckering, transplant suckers for best establishment. Regenerates prolifically from seed and root suckers, recovers well from fire.

Excellent low-level windbreak cover. Controls soil erosion with fibrous roots. Excellent habitat, fruit eaten by emus, nectar and pollen attract birds and bees. Best Eremophila fodder species, constantly trimmed by livestock. Ornamental for low garden shelter. Leaves used for tanning by First Nations People.