Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicheriana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicheriana |
|
|---|---|
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Verticordia |
| Species: | |
| Varietas: |
V. e. var. endlicheriana
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicheriana |
|
The Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicherliana is a beautiful flowering plant from the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it is endemic, meaning it only grows naturally in the south-west part of Western Australia. It's a small, bushy plant with thin leaves and pretty golden-yellow flowers. These flowers change to a reddish-brown color as they get older.
Contents
What Does This Plant Look Like?
The Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicheriana is a small, compact shrub. It usually grows to be about 10–70 cm (4–30 in) tall and 10–80 cm (4–30 in) wide. It often has one or more main stems coming from its base. The leaves on its main stems are long and thin. But the leaves closer to the flowers are more oval or almost round, and they are about 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long.
Its Unique Flowers
The flowers of this plant do not have a smell. They grow in round or flat-topped groups on straight stalks that are 5–12 mm (0.2–0.5 in) long. The part of the flower that holds the petals and sepals, called the floral cup, is shaped like a wide top. It is 0.9–1.3 mm (0.04–0.05 in) long, has ridges, and is smooth (without hairs).
The sepals are golden-yellow and turn reddish-brown as they age. They are 3–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long and have 6 to 8 fuzzy parts. The petals are the same color as the sepals and are 2.5–4.0 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. They have long, pointy, finger-like parts. The style, which is part of the plant's reproductive system, is 1.5–2.5 mm (0.06–0.1 in) long, straight, and smooth. This plant usually blooms from August to November.
How This Plant Got Its Name
The plant Verticordia endlicheriana was first officially described by a scientist named Johannes Conrad Schauer in 1844. His description was published in a book called Plantae Preissianae by Lehmann. Later, in 1991, another scientist named Alex George studied the Verticordia group of plants very closely. He identified and described five different types, or varieties, of Verticordia endlicheriana, including this specific one.
Where This Plant Grows
This variety of Verticordia likes to grow in sandy soil mixed with gravel, loam, or clay. You can often find it near large granite rocks in areas with heathland (low-growing shrubs) and wandoo woodlands. It grows in places like Beaufort River, Cranbrook, Tambellup, Albany, and the Arthur River. There are also some separate groups of these plants near Corrigin, Kulin, Koonadgin, and Mount Hampton. These areas are part of different natural regions in Western Australia, including the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest, and Mallee regions.
Looking After This Plant
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicheriana as "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
Growing This Plant in Gardens
This plant is quite popular in gardens, and some have been growing successfully for over 9 years! Gardeners usually grow new plants from cuttings (small pieces of the plant). It can grow in different types of soil, but it tends to grow slowly. If you trim it a little each year, it helps the plant produce more beautiful flowers.
