Eremophila bignoniifolia: is a member of the Myoporaceae family. There are over 200 species with only one Eremophila extending overseas to New Zealand. Their common name is Emu Bush. These large, flightless birds are said to eat the Eremophila fruits. Emu Bushes are found in the arid inland of our continent.
Eremophila bignoniifolia is also known as Eurah, an Aboriginal word. The Eurah is a medium to tall rounded shrub with smooth and sticky branches. Leaves are linear to linear-lanceolate and up to 20 centimetres long. The large, tubular flowers are usually cream with purple spots inside the tube. Some specimens have flowers with a pale pink flush. Flowering is mainly in winter and early spring with sporadic blooms at other times. As with all Emu Bushes, Eurah flowers attract honeyeaters.
In the wild, Eremophila bignoniifolia often grows near drainage channels and has proved to be frost hardy and drought tolerant.
Eurah is a useful species for windbreaks and screens. Judicious pruning will promote dense growth.
Eremophila bignoniifolia occurs in all mainland states and propagates readily from cuttings.
The photograph is of a cultivated specimen in a public garden in Roma, a town in central Queensland.
