Verticordia densiflora

Verticordia densiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Verticordia
Subgenus: Verticordia
Section: Corymbiformis
Species: V. densiflora
Binomial name
Verticordia densiflora
Lindl.[1]

Verticordia densiflora, commonly known as compacted featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with small leaves, usually small pink and white flowers and which is widespread in the south-west of the state. It is a variable species and in his 1991 paper, Alex George formally described five varieties.

Description

Verticordia densiflora is an openly-branched shrub which grows to a height of 2 m (7 ft). The leaves vary in shape from linear to egg-shaped and those nearer the flowers are usually broader than those on the lower part of the stem.[2]

The flowers are scented and arranged in round or corymb-like groups on erect stalks from 1.5 to 9 mm (0.06 to 0.4 in) long, depending on the variety. The floral cup is shaped like half a sphere, about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long, smoth but hairy near its base. The sepals are pink, cream-coloured or pale yellow, sometimes white, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long, with 3 lobes which have a fringe of coarse hairs. The petals are a similar colour to the sepals, 0.8–2.0 mm (0.03–0.08 in) long, egg-shaped many filaments on their ends. The style is 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, extending beyond the petals and is curved and hairy. Flowering time differs, depending on the variety.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Verticordia densiflora was first formally described by John Lindley in 1839 and the description was published in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. The type collection was made near the Swan River by James Drummond.[1][3] The specific epithet (densiflora) is a Latin words meaning "densely flowered".[2][4]

In a review of the genus in 1991, Alex George described five varieties of this species:[5]

George placed this species in Subgenus Verticordia, Section Corymbiformis along with V. polytricha, V. brownii, V. eriocephala and V. capillaris.[5]

Distribution and habitat

This verticordia occurs in a wide range of soils and vegetation associations in the south-west of Western Australia, with each variety having slightly differing requirements.[2]

Conservation

Pedunculata is the rarest of the five varieties and is classsified as "Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora — Extant)" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[11] and as "Endangered" (EN) under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).[12] Variety rosteostella is classified as "Priority Three"[13] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[14] The three other varieties are classified as "not threatened".[15][16][17]

Use in horticulture

Most varieties and forms of this species have been grown and are hardy in gardens in a range of soils and growing conditions. Most can be propagated from cuttings and have horticultural merit.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Verticordia densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Elizabeth A. (Berndt) George; Margaret Pieroni (illustrator) (2002). Verticordia: the turner of hearts (1st ed.). Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. pp. 216–225. ISBN 1-876268-46-8.
  3. ↑ Lindley, John (1839). "A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony". Edwards Botanical Register (Appendix): vi. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "With malus toward none" (PDF). With malus toward none. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  5. 1 2 George, Alex (1991). "New taxa, combinations and typifications in Verticordia (Myrtaceae : Chamelaucieae)". Nuytsia. 7 (3): 231–394.
  6. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora subsp. densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora var. cespitosa". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  8. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora pedunculata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  12. ↑ "Approved Conservation Advice for Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata (Long-stalked Featherflower)" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora rosteostella". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  14. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora densiflora". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  16. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora cespitosa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  17. ↑ "Verticordia densiflora stelluligera". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
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