Verticordia interioris facts for kids

Verticordia interioris is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant only grows naturally in the south-west part of Western Australia. It is a shrub that branches out and has small, thin leaves. In early spring, it produces lovely pale to dark pink flowers that grow in round clusters.

About the Verticordia interioris Plant

Verticordia interioris is a shrub that grows openly. It can be 0.2–1 m (0.7–3 ft) tall and 0.2–2 m (0.7–7 ft) wide. Its branches are often a bit uneven.

The leaves of this plant are long and narrow, like a line. They are also somewhat round when you look at them from the side. Each leaf is about 3–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in) long. They have a wrinkled texture and end in a sharp point.

What the Flowers Look Like

The flowers of Verticordia interioris have a light scent. They grow in round groups at the ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a straight stalk that is 4–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long.

The base of the flower, called the floral cup, is shaped like half a sphere. It is 1.5–2.0 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long and smooth, with tiny pits. The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower, are pale pink to dark magenta. They are 4–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long and spread outwards. They also have 5 to 7 long, hairy parts.

The petals are similar in color to the sepals. They are 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and can stand upright. They are oval-shaped with smooth edges. The style, which is part of the flower's reproductive system, is straight and thick. It is 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and has hairs pointing downwards on one side. This plant usually blooms from August to October.

How it Got its Name

The plant Verticordia interioris was first noticed by Charles Gardner. He collected samples of it in 1909. However, he didn't officially publish his description of it.

The first official description was published in 1991 by Alex George. He wrote about it in a scientific journal called Nuytsia. The samples he used were found near Leonora by Paul G. Wilson.

The second part of the plant's name, interioris, was chosen by Gardner. It comes from the Latin word "interior," which means "inner." This name was chosen because this plant grows more inland compared to most other Verticordia plants.

Alex George grouped this species with other similar plants. These include V. helmsii, V. rennieana, V. mirabilis, and V. picta.

Where it Grows and Lives

This Verticordia plant likes to grow in sandy soil. This soil often has clay, loam, and gravel mixed in. You can often find it near salt lakes.

It grows in different areas of Western Australia. You can find small groups of these plants from the Gascoyne River in the north, almost down to Morawa in the south. To the east, it reaches Meekatharra, Leonora, and Laverton. These areas are part of several different natural regions, including the Avon Wheatbelt and the Murchison.

Conservation Status

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Verticordia interioris is "Not Threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.

Growing Verticordia interioris

People who specialize in growing Verticordia plants have successfully grown this species in their gardens. Some have kept it alive for up to 7 years.

It can be grown from seeds or from cuttings. However, it can be a bit tricky to get it started and keep it healthy.