Eremophila maculata aka Fuchsiabush

Eremophila maculata is an evergreen shrub from Australia. Its common name is spotted emubush. It is part of the Scrophulariaceae family. Its range covers all mainland states and the Northern Territory. It grows in dry areas, from tropical to warm temperate climates. Kew lists its habitats as desert and dry shrubland. It also grows on floodplains near rivers and creeks. These sites often have heavy clay or clay loam soils.

The shrub grows about 6.6 feet [2 metres] tall. It keeps its leaves all year. The supplied sources give no width for a full-grown shrub. They give no detailed account of its leaves, either. They also lack facts on bark, stems, and fruit. Its flowers have both male and female organs. The evidence names no bloom season, flower colour, or pollinator. These gaps leave parts of its garden form unclear.

Plants For A Future lists sun or light shade as suitable. It places the shrub at the sunny edge of woodland gardens. In gardens, it grows in sand, loam, and clay. Soil can range from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. That source says it prefers moist soil. This differs from the dry climate of its native range. The evidence gives no guide on when to water garden plants. It also names no pests or diseases.

Australian garden reports place cold tolerance near 19°F [-7°C]. Useful Tropical Plants limits this to brief cold spells now and then. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 8–11. It also says the shrub needs a greenhouse in Britain. These cold limits do not mean it can take long freezes. To grow it from seed, sow in pots under light shade. Grow each seedling in its own pot before planting out. You can also use half-ripe cuttings with a heel. A heel is a piece of older wood at the base. The cited length is about 0.16–0.33 feet [0.05–0.10 metres].

People have picked this shrub in the wild for medicine. Sources note its use as a cold remedy. In lab tests, a methanol leaf extract acted against bacteria. The report names three bacteria but does not name the active compounds. These findings do not show that home use is safe or works. Neither source lists any known edible use. Both state that they know of no hazards. This does not prove safety. Plants For A Future records no weed potential.