Verticordia capillaris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia capillaris |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Verticordia
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| Species: |
capillaris
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Verticordia capillaris is a special flowering plant that belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which is the same family as myrtle trees. This plant is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a type of shrub with a single main stem, small leaves, and pretty creamy-white or sometimes pink flowers. These flowers grow in tight, clustered groups. You can often find this plant in small areas near the city of Geraldton.
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What it Looks Like
Verticordia capillaris is a shrub that can grow from 0.2 m (0.7 ft) to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall. It can spread out from 0.2 m (0.7 ft) to 0.9 m (3 ft) wide. This plant has one main stem at its base, which branches out a lot.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are thin and shaped like a club. They are round when you look at them from the side. The leaves are about 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long. The leaves closer to the flowers are more club-shaped than the ones lower down the stems.
The flowers have a light smell. They grow in groups that look like a flat-topped cluster. Each flower sits on a straight stalk that is 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long. The floral cup (the part that holds the flower) is shaped like half a ball. It is about 1.0 mm (0.04 in) long and feels hairy.
Flower Parts
The sepals (leaf-like parts that protect the bud) are creamy-white, but sometimes they can be pink. They are about 2.0 mm (0.08 in) long. The edges of the sepals look like feathers. The petals (the colorful parts of the flower) are the same color as the sepals. They are 1.2–1.5 mm (0.05–0.06 in) long and shaped like an egg. They are covered with short hairs. The style (the part that receives pollen) is purple, straight, and 4–5 mm (0.2–0.2 in) long. This plant usually blooms from September to November.
Naming and Classification
Verticordia capillaris was officially named by a scientist named Alex George in 1991. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called Nuytsia. He described it from plants he collected in Kalbarri National Park.
What the Name Means
The second part of its name, capillaris, comes from a Latin word meaning "hair-like." This refers to the very thin style of the flower. Alex George placed this plant in a group called Verticordia subgenus and a section called Corymbiformis.
Where it Grows
This verticordia plant likes to grow in sand, sandy clay, or sandy loam (a mix of sand, clay, and silt). You can find it in areas with tall shrubs. It grows near Kalbarri National Park and south towards Mullewa. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, and Yalgoo biogeographic regions.
Protecting the Plant
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Verticordia capillaris as "Priority Four." This means the plant is rare or nearly threatened. It needs special attention to make sure it continues to survive in the wild.
Growing it in Gardens
This plant is very hard to grow in gardens. Only a few plants have survived when moved from their natural homes. One plant, which was moved from land that was later cleared for farming, has lived for more than 15 years! But generally, it has been difficult to get this species to grow well in gardens.
