Q: I saw this plant while walking to work on campus. Can you tell me what it is?
A:ย The plant is called spotted emu bush (Eremophila divaricata). Itโs an Australian native in the figwort or Scrophulariaceae family, which also includes the Texas rangers we see around these parts.
These shrubs do well in arid environments and seem to fair better with afternoon shade in our climate. Although they are desert-adapted plants, they do require some water.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions and requests for site visits may be emailed to
