Acacia leprosa 'Scarlet Blaze' facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Acacia leprosa 'Scarlet Blaze' |
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| Species | Acacia leprosa |
| Cultivar | 'Scarlet Blaze' |
| Origin | Black Range State Forest, Victoria, Australia |
Acacia 'Scarlet Blaze' is a special type of plant, also known as a cultivar. It comes from the Acacia leprosa species, which is often called the cinnamon wattle. This unique plant was first found in Victoria, Australia. People love it because it has very unusual red flowers.
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What is 'Scarlet Blaze'?
This plant can grow as a small tree or a large bush. It usually reaches about 5 metres (16 feet) tall and 3 metres (10 feet) wide. Just like other cinnamon wattles, its leaves smell like cinnamon, especially when the weather is warm.
Why are its flowers special?
'Scarlet Blaze' produces round, red flowers from late winter to early spring. Red flowers are quite rare in the Acacia plant family. Most Acacia flowers are usually cream, yellow, or gold. There are a few other Acacia species with red flowers, like Acacia pervillei and Acacia sakalava from Madagascar, and Acacia reniformis from Mexico. However, many non-Australian Acacia plants are now being moved into different plant groups.
How 'Scarlet Blaze' Was Found
The very first 'Scarlet Blaze' plant was discovered in 1995. A group of bushwalkers (people who hike in the bush) saw it in the Black Range State Forest, which is north-east of Melbourne. It was a single plant with red flowers growing among many other Acacia leprosa plants that had the usual yellow flowers. This special plant was described as being about 2.4 metres (8 feet) tall and wide.
Bringing it to Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne took cuttings from the original plant. Cuttings are small pieces of a plant that can grow into new plants. Only three of these cuttings survived, and all the 'Scarlet Blaze' plants we see today come from those three.
In 1998, a person named Bill Molyneux applied for special plant rights for 'Scarlet Blaze' on behalf of the Royal Botanic Gardens. These rights were officially given in 2003. Sadly, the original plant that was first discovered has since died.
When it became public
'Scarlet Blaze' was first made available to the public in August 2001 by a company called Plant Growers Australia. This timing was perfect because the plant became Victoria's special flower for the 100th anniversary of the Federation of Australia.
Growing 'Scarlet Blaze'
This plant likes soil that is moist but drains water well. It can also handle dry periods, so it's quite tough! For the best growth and lots of flowers, 'Scarlet Blaze' should be planted in a sunny spot. It can also handle a little bit of shade.
How to grow new plants
If you want to grow more 'Scarlet Blaze' plants that are exactly like the parent plant, you must use cuttings. If you try to grow them from seeds, the new plants might have flowers that are yellow, red, or somewhere in between!
