Long-stalked featherflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Verticordia |
| Species: | |
| Varietas: |
V. d. var. pedunculata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata (Turcz.) A.S.George
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The Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata, also known as the long-stalked featherflower, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which is the same family as myrtle plants. This special plant grows only in the south-west part of Western Australia. It is a shrub with small leaves and pretty flowers that start out mauve-pink and then turn white. It is one of five different types of the Verticordia densiflora species. You can tell it apart from the others because its flower stalks are much longer.
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What it Looks Like
The long-stalked featherflower is a shrub that usually grows to be about 30–60 cm (10–20 in) tall and wide. Sometimes it looks a bit open and spread out, but other times it's bushy with many branches. Its leaves are a greyish-green color. They can be long and thin or shaped like an egg. The leaves closest to the flowers are more pointed and about 1.0–1.5 mm (0.04–0.06 in) wide.
The flowers have a nice smell. They grow in groups on straight stalks that are usually 5 to 9 mm (0.2 to 0.4 in) long. The flowers are a light to bright mauve-pink color. As they get older, they change to white. The part of the flower that holds everything, called the floral cup, looks like half a ball. It's about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long and smooth, but it has some hairs near its bottom.
The sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud, are 3.5–4 mm (0.14–0.16 in) long. They have 2 to 4 parts with a fringe of rough hairs. The petals are the same color as the sepals and are about 1.6–2.0 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long. They are egg-shaped and have many tiny threads on their ends. The style, which is a part of the flower's reproductive system, is 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long. It sticks out past the petals, is curved, and has hairs. It also has a thicker base. This plant usually flowers from December to January.
How it Got its Name
The plant Verticordia densiflora was first officially described by a person named John Lindley in 1839. This description was published in a book called A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. Later, in 1991, a scientist named Alex George looked closely at all the plants in the Verticordia genus (a group of similar plants). He then described five different types, or varieties, of Verticordia densiflora, including this one.
Where it Grows and Lives
This type of Verticordia densiflora likes to grow in sandy soil. Sometimes it grows in sand mixed with clay or loam. You can often find it in areas that get wet during winter. It can also grow in places that have been disturbed or have many weeds. It is found in a small area near Busselton in Western Australia. This area is part of the Jarrah Forest and Swan Coastal Plain regions.
Why it Needs Protection
The Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata is a very special plant. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife calls it "Threatened Flora". This means it is a rare plant that needs protection. The Australian Government also lists it as "Endangered" (EN) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
In 1997, scientists estimated there were only about 500 mature plants left. The biggest dangers to this plant are land being cleared for new buildings and roads. Also, areas along roadsides are getting damaged, which hurts the plants that grow there.
Helping it Grow
We don't know a lot about how to grow this specific type of plant. More research is needed to understand its needs. This research is very important to help make sure this unique plant continues to exist for a long time.
