Burra, Turpentine bush
Eremophila fraseri

Family: Scrophulariaceae

What it is like

Eremophila fraseri is an evergreen Perennial growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Grows in a wide range of habitats and different soil types. Subspecies parva occurs in scattered locations in the Meekatharra and Gascoyne regions in Western Australia where it grows in stony or sandy clay loam.

Native to Western Australia

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

Indigenous uses - Used as a topical medication. Liquid from a preparation of the leaves is used for skin complaints. It is called Jilarnu in the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma languages.

Other

Rating: 3

Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: hydrocarbon resin (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles).

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Wild Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.

Management: Hay: Cut to the ground and harvested annually. Non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.

Wild Crop: Some wild plants have strong historical or contemporary use. Although they are not cultivated crops, they may be wild-managed.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Climate: warm temperate to subtropical. Humidity: arid to semi-arid. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It is drought tolerant. It can withstand slight frost. Sandy or stony soils, alluvium. Colluvial & riverine flats, rocky hills. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: wild. Management: hay (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).

Propagating it: Seed. Difficult to propagate except by cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Burra, Jilarnu, Turpentine bush

Synonyms

Bondtia fraseri Kuntze