#3619 - Philotheca spicata - Pepper and Salt
Apparently I haven't talked about this species before, other than mentioning it in passing when discussing a pollinator.
Variously known as Eriostemon ebracteatum, ebracteatus, effusus, racemosum, racemosus and spicatus, until it and a bunch of other Eriostemon species got moved to Philotheca in 1998. Philotheca, incidentally, should have been spelt Psilotheca, from the Ancient Greek words for "bare sheath" referring to the smooth tube of the stamens. The Latin 'spicata' refers to the flowerspike - spike having the same derivation. The common name is more confusing - it may refer to the contrast beyween the bright flowers and duller foliage.
A common subshrub in sand or loam over laterite between Eneabba and Albany.
Kalamunda NP, Perth.
