Common Name: Narrow-Leaved Fuchsia Bush

General Information

Eremophila alternifolia is an erect, resinous shrub growing up to 3 metres tall[].
It is often grown as an ornamental in Australia

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - southern Western Australia, South Australia, southern Northern Territory, western New South Wales

Habitat

Found as scattered bushes or small groups in shallow skeletal soils on hills and ranges[].

Properties

Height

0.00 m

Cultivation Details

Eremophila alternifolia is found mainly in arid and sub-arid regions of southern Australia. It is known to withstand at least moderate frost, and has been successfully cultivated in more humid temperate areas with mild winters and a well-drained soil[].
Prefers a position in full sun[]. Succeeds in a variety of soils so long as they are well-drained[].
The plant flowers mainly in the spring, but also sporadically through the year[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Eremophila alternifolia is commonly known as narrow-leaf fuchsia bush. Aboriginal people have taken the decoctions of the dried leaves of E. alternifolia for coughs, colds,fever, internal pain, and general malaise [Barr et al., 1988; Isaacs, ]. An infusion of the fresh leaves has been used as a rubbing medicine to treat skin conditions or taken internally for various ailments. It is believed that this plant is able to encourage deep sleep[]
The leaves of E. alternifolia have been found to contain up to 4% of essential oil, with the main components being fenchone and limonene[]
An ethanol extract of the stems of E. alternifolia has been reported to cause weak inhibition of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), which is a causative virus of disease in immunosuppressed individuals and is associated with respiratory infections [Semple et al., ]. An ethanol extract from leaves of E. alternifolia was found to have antibacterial ctivity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [Palombo and Semple, (2002]. Given that S. aureus is one of the inhabitants of the human upper respiratory tract and is associated with pathological conditions including pneumonia [Brock et al., ], the inhibitory activity of extracts of E. alternifolia against both S. aureus and HCMV provides support for the traditional uses of this plant as a remedy for respiratory conditions. The bioactive constituents responsible for the antiviral and antibacterial activities are still unknown[].
The methanol extract of leaves of E. alternifolia has been found to have cardioactivity, from which the cardioactive compound verbascoside was isolated[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. The seed can be difficult to germinate - exposing them to smoke prior to sowing can help, as can mechanically abrading some of the outer seedcoat to allow moisture to penetrate[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. They normally root within 3 - 4 weeks[]. Pot up in the autumn. Good percentage[].