– Bowman's poverty bush E. campanulata – bell-flowered poverty bush E. ciliata – Archer's poverty bush E. denticulata – toothed poverty bush E. foliosissima – poverty bush E. granitica – granite poverty bush, thin-leaved poverty bush E. maitlandii – Shark Bay poverty bush E. malacoides – frontage poverty bush E. margarethae – sandbank poverty bush E. metallicorum – miners poverty bush E. micrantha – small-flowered poverty bush E. parvifolia – small-leaved poverty bush E. pterocarpa – wing-fruited eremophila, silver poverty bush E. spectabilis – showy poverty bush E. spinescens – spiny poverty bush Distribution and habitat Eremophilas are distributed across the Australian mainland, primarily in arid regions and the majority of species occur in Western Australia. Eremophila maculata is found in all Australian states but there are no eremophilas in Tasmania. Eremophila debilis is found in New Zealand although its appearance there is thought to be recent, most likely as a result of introduction by people. At least 229 species are found in Western Australia and about 80% of those are endemic to that state. They are most common in arid areas - in the Meekatharra-Wiluna area there are more than 50 eremophila species and are the most common shrubs encountered. A few species, including E. complanata and E. mirabilis have very restricted distributions and only occur on one or two rocky outcrops. Ecology Eremophila includes entomophilous species, with flowers adapted to attract insects, and ornithophilous species, with flowers that attract birds. Entomophilous flowers have protruding lower lips, which provide a landing area for insects, and they are often blue, purple, or white. Bird-adapted flowers are red, orange, yellow, or green, and have lobes pointing downwards which discourages insects. Bird pollinated species also tend to have longer stamens, which brush pollen onto and off the bird's head as it feeds. The fruits are eaten by emus, which disperse the seeds in their droppings although the belief that this aids in the germination of the seeds is mistaken. Some species of Eremophila, such as E.freelingii and E.latrobei are toxic to stock whereas others, including E.bignoniiflora and E.oppositifolia are useful fodder plants. Uses Indigenous uses Aboriginal people used eremophilas for cultural and health reasons. For example, the Adnyamathanha people used Varti-varka (Eremophila longifolia) in burial ceremonies and in initiation ceremonies. Skin complaints were treated with a mixture of emu oil and the ash from burned bark of the plant. Use in horticulture