Verticordia serotina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia serotina |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Verticordia
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| Species: |
serotina
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Verticordia serotina is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it is found only in the north-west part of Western Australia. It is a small bush with egg-shaped leaves and bright pink flowers. These flowers have long, curved parts called styles and bloom in spring.
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What Does Verticordia serotina Look Like?
Verticordia serotina is a small bush, usually growing about 30 to 70 centimeters (12 to 28 inches) tall. It has one main stem and many side branches. Its leaves are shaped like an egg or are almost round. They are about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long.
The Flowers of Verticordia serotina
The flowers of this plant smell nice. They grow in groups that look like spikes near the ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a small stem about 1 to 2 millimeters (0.04 to 0.08 inches) long.
The base of the flower, called the floral cup, is shaped like a top. It is rough and smooth, about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long. It also has curved green parts called appendages.
The sepals are the leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud. They are about 8 to 9 millimeters (0.31 to 0.35 inches) long and spread out. They are deep pink and have 12 or 13 feathery edges. The petals, which are the colorful parts of the flower, are also pink. They are about 6 to 7 millimeters (0.24 to 0.28 inches) long and have pointed edges.
A long, curved part inside the flower, called the style, is about 8 millimeters (0.31 inches) long. It has tiny hairs on one side. This plant usually flowers from August to September, but sometimes it blooms even later.
How Verticordia serotina Got Its Name
The plant Verticordia serotina was first officially described in 1991. A scientist named Alex George found a sample of it near Exmouth. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The second part of its name, serotina, comes from a Latin word. It means "happening late." This name was chosen because this plant flowers later than a similar plant called V. forrestii.
Where Verticordia serotina Lives
This type of verticordia plant usually grows in deep sand. You can find it in areas with heathland and shrubland. It lives in the Cape Range National Park and on nearby farms, known as stations. These places are in a region called Carnarvon in Western Australia.
Protecting Verticordia serotina
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife has listed Verticordia serotina as "Priority Two." This means that not much is known about this plant, and it has only been found in one or a few places. Because of this, it needs special attention to make sure it stays safe and doesn't disappear.
Growing Verticordia serotina
It's quite hard to grow Verticordia serotina outside of its natural home. So far, it has only been successfully grown in the Kings Park Botanic Garden.
Scientists have tried different ways to grow it. They have used cuttings, which means taking a small piece of the plant and helping it grow roots. They have also used a method called grafting. This is when a part of Verticordia serotina is joined onto the root system of another plant, like Chamelaucium uncinatum.
