Verticordia setacea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Verticordia setacea |
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| Genus: |
Verticordia
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| Species: |
setacea
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Verticordia setacea, sometimes called the Bristly Featherflower, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it only grows in the south-west part of Western Australia. It is a small bush with tiny leaves. In late spring, it shows off its deep pink flowers.
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What the Bristly Featherflower Looks Like
Verticordia setacea is a small bush. It usually grows up to about 60 cm (20 in) tall. Its leaves are mostly long and thin. They can be round or triangle-shaped when you look at them closely. The leaves are about 4–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long and have a rounded tip.
Its Flowers
The flowers grow in groups near the ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a small stalk. This stalk is about 1–3 mm (0.04–0.1 in) long. The part of the flower that holds the petals, called the floral cup, is shaped like a top. It is about 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long. This cup feels a bit rough and has some hairs.
The sepals are like small leaves under the petals. They are about 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long. They spread out and are deep pink. The sepals have hairs on top and long fringes around their edges. The petals are also deep pink. They stand up straight and are about 2 mm (0.08 in) long. They are mostly round and have hairs or tiny teeth around their edges. The style, which is part of the flower, is about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long. It is straight and has hairs near its tip. This plant usually flowers in November and December.
How the Bristly Featherflower Got Its Name
The plant Verticordia setacea was first officially described in 2010. A scientist named Alex George found a sample of it near Lake Grace. He wrote about it in a science journal called Nuytsia.
The second part of its name, setacea, comes from a Latin word. The word is seta, which means "bristle". This name was chosen because some parts of the flowers feel bristly.
Where the Bristly Featherflower Grows
This special Verticordia plant likes to grow in certain types of soil. It can be found in lateritic soil. This is a reddish soil that is rich in iron. It also grows in sand that sits on top of laterite. You can find this plant in a small area near Lake Grace in Western Australia. This area is known as the Mallee region.
Protecting the Bristly Featherflower
The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife keeps track of plants like Verticordia setacea. They have classified it as "Priority Two". This means that not much is known about the plant. It has only been found in one or a few places. This classification helps protect the plant and its habitat.
