Verticordia etheliana var. etheliana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia etheliana var. etheliana |
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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. e. var. etheliana
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| Trinomial name | |
| Verticordia etheliana var. etheliana |
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Verticordia etheliana var. etheliana is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it is endemic to the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it naturally grows only in that area and nowhere else in the world! It's a type of shrub with many branches. Its leaves are shaped like eggs or are almost round. The plant produces bright red flowers that grow in spike-like groups. These flowers have cool greenish-cream centers. This specific type of Verticordia etheliana has longer leaves and bigger flowers compared to its close relative, V. etheliana var. formosa.
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What Does This Plant Look Like?
Verticordia etheliana var. etheliana is a shrub that grows openly with many branches. It can reach a height of about 0.3–1.5 m (1–5 ft). It can also spread out to a width of 0.3–2 m (1–7 ft). The plant has one main stem at its base. Its leaves are mostly round and are about 3–6 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. Sometimes, the edges of the leaves have a few small, uneven bumps.
The Flowers of Verticordia etheliana
The flowers of this plant grow in small, open groups. Each flower sits on a stalk that is about 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long. All the flowers in a group usually open at the same time. The part that holds the flower, called the floral cup, is shaped like a top. It is about 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and feels smooth. It also has curved green parts that stick out.
The sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the bud, are orange-red. They are about 9–10 mm (0.35–0.39 in) long and have 8 to 16 feathery parts. When the petals first open, they are a creamy-white color with a little pink on the edges. But within a day or two, they turn completely red! After that, they slowly fade to a pale yellowish-pink. The petals are about 6–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) long. They have a feathery edge and two ear-shaped parts at their base. The style, which is a long part of the flower, is about 16–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long. It starts curled inside the bud but straightens out as the flower opens. It sticks out far from the flower and has soft hairs. This plant usually blooms from July to November or December.
How This Plant Got Its Name
The plant Verticordia etheliana was first officially described in 1942. A botanist named Charles Gardner wrote about it. His description was published in a scientific paper called the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia. Later, in 1991, another botanist named Alex George studied the whole group of Verticordia plants. He then described two different types, or varieties, of V. etheliana, including this one.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
This specific type of Verticordia etheliana grows in sandy soil, or in soil mixed with gravel or sandy clay. You can find it in tall, open areas with many shrubs. It grows between the Billabong Roadhouse and Kalbarri National Park. These areas are part of the Geraldton Sandplains and Yalgoo regions in Western Australia.
How Is This Plant Used?
The best types of this shrub are strong and bushy. They can grow up to 1 m (3 ft) tall. They have attractive leaves and amazing flowers. These flowers are great because they attract birds and insects, which helps the plant spread its seeds. People usually grow new plants from cuttings. These plants grow best in sandy soils that have deeper clay underneath. This helps the soil hold moisture, which the plant needs. This variety has even been grown in Sydney. There, it sometimes flowers for a long time, from July all the way to April. It also seems to handle light frost quite well.
