Verticordia multiflora facts for kids

The Verticordia multiflora is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it only grows in one place: the south-west part of Western Australia. This means it is endemic to that area.

It's a small, open shrub with tiny leaves. In spring or early summer, it grows groups of bright yellow flowers that smell nice. These flowers appear at the ends of its branches.

What Does Verticordia multiflora Look Like?

Verticordia multiflora is a shrub that can grow up to about 60 cm (20 in) tall. It has branches that spread out in an open, uneven way.

Leaves and Stems

Its leaves are small, shaped like an oval or a long circle. They are about 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long. If you cut a leaf in half, it would look like a half-circle. Sometimes, the edges of the leaves have tiny saw-like teeth.

Bright Yellow Flowers

The flowers grow in round groups at the very tips of the branches. Each flower sits on a stalk that is about 10–12 mm (0.4–0.5 in) long. The base of the flower, called the floral cup, is shaped like a top. It's about 2–3 mm (0.08–0.1 in) long and feels hairy.

The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower, are bright yellow. They are 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long and are deeply split and hairy. The petals are also yellow and stand upright. They are 2.5–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and have a hairy edge. The style, which is part of the flower's reproductive system, is 3–5.3 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and straight. It has long white hairs along its length.

This plant usually flowers from October to January. The exact time depends on which type (subspecies) of Verticordia multiflora it is.

How Was Verticordia multiflora Named?

The plant Verticordia multiflora was first officially described in 1847. A scientist named Nikolai Turczaninow gave it its formal name. He studied a plant sample collected by James Drummond. The description was then published in a science journal.

Meaning of the Name

The second part of its scientific name, multiflora, comes from a Latin word. It means "many-flowered," which makes sense because this plant has lots of flowers!

Different Types of Verticordia multiflora

There are two main types, or subspecies, of Verticordia multiflora:

• Verticordia multiflora Turcz. subsp. multiflora
  • This type has sepals that are 4.0–4.5 mm (0.16–0.18 in) long.
  • Its petals are 2.5–3.0 mm (0.098–0.12 in) long.
  • The style is 3.0–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long.
• Verticordia multiflora subsp. solox A.S.George
  • This type has sepals that are 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long.
  • Its petals are 3.5–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long.
  • The style is 4–5.5 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long.

In 1991, another scientist named Alex George studied all the plants in the Verticordia group. He placed Verticordia multiflora into a smaller group called Pilocosta. Other plants in this group include V. huegelii and V. brachypoda.

Where Does Verticordia multiflora Grow?

This plant usually grows in sandy soil. Sometimes, it can also be found in soil with clay or crumbling granite rocks. It often grows alongside other types of Verticordia plants in woodlands and shrublands. The two subspecies grow in slightly different areas within the south-west of Western Australia.

Is Verticordia multiflora Protected?

The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of rare and important plants.

• The subspecies solox is listed as "Priority Two". This means it's not very well known and only found in a few places.
• However, the subspecies muliflora is considered "Not Threatened," which is good news!

Can We Grow Verticordia multiflora in Gardens?

Both types of Verticordia multiflora have been grown successfully in gardens. People have started new plants from cuttings. However, these plants can sometimes get sick from fungus. Scientists need to learn more about what the plant needs to grow well before it can be widely sold for gardens.