Turpentine bush (Eremophila fraseri) in the Western Australian rangelands

Page last updated: Tuesday, 6 July 2021 - 4:13pm

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Turpentine bush (Eremophila fraseri) is one of many plant species found in the Western Australian rangelands.

This page provides a summary of the plant's value for pastoralism. Pastoral lessees and station managers can use this information to assess pasture condition and trend.

Indicator value

Turpentine bush is an undesirable that increases in the pasture under heavy grazing. The density of turpentine bush alone is not a useful indicator of pasture condition: look for changes in turpentine bush plant density relative to the more-palatable species it grows with, such as tall sida

There are a number of other undesirable eremophilas (other names: native fuchsia bushes, emu bushes, poverty bushes) that may be locally important. Some of these are Eremophila crenulata, E. foliosissima, the compact form of E. georgei and E. pantonii.

Forage value

Turpentine bush has little or no forage value, though it may be sparingly grazed in very tough times.

Habitat

Floodplains, watercourses, hardpan and stony plains, hills

General description

Turpentine bush is a bright green shrub that can be more than 3m tall. The mature bark at the base is rough and grey-black. The sticky leaves are up to 8cm long and 2cm wide and are usually creased lengthways. The flowers are typically cream to lilac or tan. The sepals below the flower turn a prominent red to mauve colour as the flowers emerge and persist after the flower falls off. The fruit is a tapering egg-shape about 5mm across.

Contact information

Kath Ryan
+61 (0)8 9166 4015
Matthew Fletcher
+61 (0)8 9166 4019