Verticordia etheliana var. formosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia etheliana var. formosa |
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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. formosa
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| Trinomial name | |
| Verticordia etheliana var. formosa A.S.George
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Verticordia etheliana var. formosa is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. You can only find it growing naturally in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a small, bushy shrub. It looks a lot like another type of Verticordia etheliana, but its leaves and flowers are smaller.
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What Does This Plant Look Like?
Verticordia etheliana var. formosa is a small, bushy shrub. Sometimes, it even grows very low to the ground. Its branches spread out sideways. It usually grows to be about 30–45 cm (10–20 in) tall. It can spread out to be 0.3–1 m (1–3 ft) wide. Occasionally, it might grow as tall as 1 m (3 ft).
Its leaves are shaped like an oval or an egg. They are about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long. The leaves are usually greyish or bluish-green. Sometimes, they have a few small, uneven teeth along their edges.
The flowers grow in groups that are quite close together. Each flower sits on a small stem about 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. The part of the flower that holds the petals and sepals (called the floral cup) is shaped like a top. It is 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and feels smooth. It also has curved green parts attached to it.
The sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud, are bright to dark red. They are often a creamy-green color at their base. These sepals are about 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long. They have 8 to 16 feathery parts. When the petals open, they are white. As they get older, they turn red. The petals are 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long. They have a feathery edge and two ear-shaped parts at their bottom. The style, which is the long part in the center of the flower, is 12–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) long. It is gently curved and has soft hairs. This plant usually flowers from July to November or December.
How This Plant Got Its Name
The plant Verticordia etheliana was first officially described by a botanist named Charles Gardner in 1942. He wrote about it in a science journal called the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.
Later, in 1991, another botanist named Alex George looked closely at all the plants in the Verticordia group. He then described two different types of V. etheliana, and this one was one of them. The first samples of this plant were collected by Alex George and Elizabeth George (Berndt) near a place called Yuna. The name formosa comes from a Latin word meaning "well formed" or "handsome." This name was chosen because this plant is more compact and has very showy flowers.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
This type of Verticordia grows in sandy soil that sits over hard clay. You can find it in areas with heathland (low, bushy plants) and tall, open shrubland. It grows between the Billabong Roadhouse and Kalbarri National Park. It also spreads east towards Yuna and Mullewa. These areas are part of the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, and Yalgoo natural regions in Australia.
Is This Plant Protected?
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has looked at Verticordia etheliana var. formosa. They have decided that it is "not threatened." This means there are enough of these plants in the wild, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
Growing This Plant in Gardens
It has been a bit harder to grow this specific type of Verticordia in gardens compared to the other type, var. etheliana. However, it is a very good plant for gardens because it stays small and bushy. Its new leaves have a lovely color, and its bright red flower clusters have a delicate scent. Some of these plants have lived in gardens for more than 14 years. Once they are settled, they are strong and healthy plants.
If you want to grow this plant, it needs soil that drains water well. It should also have a layer underneath that can hold some moisture. It likes a sunny spot, but it should be protected from cold winds.
