Verticordia comosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia comosa |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Verticordia
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| Species: |
comosa
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The Verticordia comosa is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia, which means it is endemic there. It is a shrub that branches out and has small, round leaves. Its flowers are pale yellow, and sometimes they have a white or light pink center.
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What Does Verticordia comosa Look Like?
A Shrub with Unique Leaves
Verticordia comosa is a shrub that grows from a single stem at the bottom. It branches out openly and can reach a height of about 0.9 to 2.5 meters (3 to 8 feet). It can also spread out to be 0.5 to 2.0 meters (2 to 7 feet) wide.
The leaves of this plant are quite special. They are wide and oval-shaped, or even almost perfectly round. Each leaf is about 2 to 4 millimeters (0.08 to 0.16 inches) long. They also turn outwards from the stem, giving the plant a unique look.
Flowers and Their Features
The flowers of Verticordia comosa do not have a smell. They grow in groups that look like spikes on straight stalks, which are about 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters (0.02 to 0.06 inches) long.
Let's look closer at the flowers:
- The floral cup is shaped like a top and is about 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) long. It is smooth and has 5 clear ribs.
- The sepals are pale yellow and about 4.0 millimeters (0.16 inches) long. They have 8 or 10 parts, called lobes, which have fuzzy edges.
- The petals can be pale yellow, white, or light pink. They are about 3.5 to 4 millimeters (0.14 to 0.16 inches) long. These petals have many pointed lobes, each about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters (0.04 to 0.06 inches) long.
- The style is the part of the flower that receives pollen. It is about 4.5 to 5.5 millimeters (0.18 to 0.22 inches) long. It is curved or bent and has a small bunch of hairs at its tip.
This plant usually blooms from October to January.
How Verticordia comosa Interacts with Other Plants
Like other plants in the genus Verticordia, this species often grows near its relatives. Sometimes, it can even hybridise with them. This means it can mix its genes with another Verticordia species. One plant it can hybridize with is the Verticordia spicata subsp. squamosa, which is a critically endangered plant.
Where Does Verticordia comosa Grow?
Its Natural Home
This Verticordia plant likes to grow in deep sand and a mix of loam (a type of soil) over gravel. It often shares its home with other Verticordia species in open shrubland areas.
You can find Verticordia comosa in Western Australia. It grows in the areas between Three Springs, Mingenew, and Morawa. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic regions.
Why Is Verticordia comosa Special?
Its Discovery and Name
The Verticordia comosa was first officially described by a scientist named Alex George in 1991. He published his description in a scientific journal called Nuytsia. The specimens he used to describe the plant were collected near Three Springs in 1980.
The second part of its scientific name, comosa, comes from a Latin word. It means "downy" or "having hairs." This name refers to the small tuft of hairs found on the plant's style, which is a part of its flower.
Protecting This Rare Plant
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Verticordia comosa a special classification: "Priority One." This means that the plant is known to grow in only a few places, and these locations might be at risk. Because it's so rare, it needs special protection to help it survive.
Can We Grow Verticordia comosa in Gardens?
People have tried to grow Verticordia comosa in gardens, but it has been quite difficult. It's hard to get the plant to start growing, and even harder to keep it alive in a garden setting. However, because this plant is so rare and has the potential to be a beautiful garden plant, people are still trying to find ways to grow it successfully.
