Eremophila longifolia

Location & distribution maps

Common name:         ...

• As well as being known as berrigan, the species has a number of other common names including berregan emu bush, long-leaved emu bush, weeping emu bush, native plum, juniper tree and dogwood

• Some of these names are also used for other species including Pittosporum phillyreoides, (known as "berrigan") and Santalum lanceolatum (known as "native plum")

• Aboriginal Australians use names including amuna (Anmatjirra), tulypurpa (Pitjantjatjara), otenerrenge (Aranda), ortherrenge (Eastern Aranda), tulypur (Yankunytjatjara) and ngawil (Yuwaalaraay)

Conservation status: Least Concern

• This species is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife

Etymology:   

• Eremophila is derived from the Ancient Greek ἐρῆμος (erêmos) meaning "lonely" or "desert" and φίλος (phílos) meaning “dear" or "beloved” alluding to the species' adaptation to arid environments

• The specific epithet (longifolia) is derived from the Latin words longus meaning "long"  and folium meaning "leaf"

Flowers:                  

• The flowers are borne in groups of up to 5 in leaf axils on stalks mostly 4–8 mm long 

• There are 5 green, egg-shaped, tapering, hairy sepals which are mostly 2–7 mm long 

• The petals are mostly 20–30 mm long and are joined at their lower end to form a tube

• The petal tube is brick-red to pink, sometimes spotted inside with darker red

• The inside and outside of the tube are covered with hairs, more densely so on the outside

• The 4 stamens extend beyond the end of the petal tube

• Flowering occurs at different times in different parts of the country

• In Western Australia it mainly occurs between March and November, in southern Queensland during spring and summer but in the Riverina area of NSW there is no distinct flowering season

• In most places, flowers may appear in any season, depending on rainfall

Fruit:                         

• The fruits which follow are oval to almost spherical in shape, 5–12 mm long and are yellow at first, then turn brown and finally black

Leaves:         

• The leaves are arranged alternately along the branches and are linear to lance-shaped, often sickle-shaped and often have a hooked end

• They are mostly 50–160 mm long, 3–8 mm wide, taper towards both ends and have a prominent mid-vein on the lower surface

Stem & branches: 

• Its branches often have a covering of fine, yellow to reddish brown hairs

Roots:         

• It frequently forms suckers and dense stands of clones of the shrub are common

Habit:        

• A shrub or small tree growing to a height of between 1 and 8 m

Habitat:   

• It can grow in a wide range of soil types and habitats apart from the more humid areas of the east coast

• It generally grows in Acacia or Eucalyptus woodland but is also common on rocky hills, sand plains and sand dunes

Distribution:                  

• Berrigan is the most ubiquitous eremophila in Australia 

Additional notes:     

• Taxonomy and naming

  • The first formal description of the species was published by Robert Brown in 1810 who gave it the name Stenochilus longifolius

  • The description was published in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen

  • In 1860, Ferdinand von Mueller changed the name to Eremophila longifolia

• Ecology

  • Honeyeaters, emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and bustards (Ardeotis australis) are known to use this eremophila as a food source

• Uses

  • Indigenous use

    • Eremophila longifolia is one of the most important plant species to Aboriginal people, especially to those living in Central Australia

    • It was used in initiation ceremonies, to line graves, for tanning water bags and was placed in the headbands of warriors

    • It also had medicinal uses such as to treat colds and headaches, and was used to cleanse and strengthen new-born babies

  • Agriculture

    • Berrigan is the best of the eremophila species as a fodder for sheep and cattle. 

    • It is sometimes used as drought fodder although may be toxic if not used with other food sources

    • It can provide a windbreak and is useful in the prevention of soil erosion due to its fibrous root system

  • Horticulture

    • Eremophila longifolia is not well known in horticulture although its weeping habit, hardiness and attractive flowers suggest it has potential

    • It makes a useful informal hedge, complemented by its ability to sucker

    • It is difficult to propagate from seed and cuttings often do not strike but suckers are readily transplanted

    • In situations where suckering is undesirable or where the plant is to be grown in heavier soils, it can be propagated by grafting onto Myoporum rootstock

  • Medicine

    • Eremophila longifolia plants contain compounds which have shown to be effective in controlling bacteria responsible for tooth decay

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eremophila_longifolia (2024)