Verticordia coronata facts for kids
Verticordia coronata is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This special plant only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia, meaning it's endemic there. It's a small bush with leaves that change shape depending on where they are on the plant. You'll find groups of bright yellow flowers near the ends of its branches.
Quick facts for kids Verticordia coronata |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Verticordia
|
| Species: |
coronata
|
What it Looks Like
Verticordia coronata is a small shrub, like a mini bush. It usually grows to be about 10–45 cm (4–20 in) tall and just as wide. It has many stems growing from its base.
The leaves on the lower part of the plant are long and thin, like a line. They are round when you look at them from the side. These leaves are about 4–9 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long and have a little hook at the tip. Higher up on the stem, the leaves are more oval-shaped and slightly cupped. They are shorter, about 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long, with a rounded end that has a sharp point.
The flowers have a light, pleasant smell. They grow in round clusters or groups that look like a flat-topped bunch. These flower groups are on straight stalks that are 6–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long. The base of the flower, called the floral cup, looks like half a sphere. It's about 1.0–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) long, smooth, and a bit bumpy.
The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower, are pale to bright yellow. They are 2.5–5.0 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and have 5 to 7 parts with a fringe of rough hairs. The petals are also yellow, just like the sepals. They are 3.5–5.0 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and have many parts that spread out like fingers. The style, which is part of the flower's reproductive system, is 4.0–4.5 mm (0.2–0.2 in) long, straight, and smooth. This plant usually blooms from September to November.
Naming the Plant
The scientific name Verticordia coronata was first officially described by a scientist named Alex George. He wrote about it in 1991 in a science journal called Nuytsia. He had collected samples of the plant with Elizabeth George in 1984 in the Stirling Range.
The second part of the plant's name, coronata, comes from a Latin word, coronare. This word means "to crown," so coronata means "crowned." This name was chosen because of the shape of some parts of the flower that look like a crown.
Where it Grows
This type of verticordia plant likes to grow in sand. Often, this sand comes from granite rocks. You can often find it growing with other verticordia plants in areas with low bushes or heathland.
It lives in the Stirling Range National Park and nearby places. These areas include towns like Nyabing, Pingrup, Cranbrook, and Katanning. These locations are in different natural areas of Western Australia.
Protecting the Plant
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has given Verticordia coronata a special classification: "Priority Three." This means that we don't know a lot about this plant, and it's only found in a few places. However, it's not in immediate danger of disappearing right now.
Growing it at Home
Verticordia coronata is a tricky plant to grow in gardens or other cultivated areas. It's hard to make new plants from it, and we don't fully understand what it needs to grow well outside of its natural home.
