Verticordia wonganensis facts for kids

Verticordia wonganensis is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the myrtle family, called Myrtaceae. This plant is special because it is found only in one area, which means it is endemic to the south-west part of Western Australia. It grows as a small bush near a place called Wongan Hills. This bush has one main stem, small leaves, and groups of large, feathery, pink flowers that look like spikes.

What Does Verticordia wonganensis Look Like?

Verticordia wonganensis is a shrub, which is a type of bush. It usually grows to be about 30 to 70 centimeters (12 to 28 inches) tall. It can also spread out to about 50 centimeters (20 inches) wide. The plant has one main branch that grows upwards.

Its leaves are arranged in a special way: they are in pairs, and each pair is at right angles to the pair below it. This is called a decussate arrangement. The leaves are shaped like an oval, about 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters (0.06 to 0.1 inches) long. They usually lie flat against the stem.

The flowers of this plant have a nice smell. They grow in groups that look like spikes at the ends of the branches. Each flower sits on a small stem about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) long. The part of the flower that holds the petals and other parts, called the floral cup, is shaped like a top. It is about 2.5 millimeters (0.1 inches) long and has 5 ridges. It also has small green parts, called appendages, and feels a bit rough.

The sepals are parts that protect the flower bud. They are pink and spread outwards, measuring about 5 to 6 millimeters (0.2 to 0.24 inches) long. They have 7 to 8 fuzzy, hair-like sections. The petals are bright pink and stand upright. They are about 5 to 6.5 millimeters (0.2 to 0.26 inches) long, with an extra fringe that is 2 to 2.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.1 inches) long. The style is a part of the flower that helps with reproduction. It is about 4 to 5 millimeters (0.16 to 0.2 inches) long, has tiny hairs, and curves near its tip. This plant usually blooms from November to December.

How Verticordia wonganensis Got Its Name

The plant Verticordia wonganensis was officially described for the first time in 1991. A scientist named Alex George gave it its formal description. He found a sample of the plant near Wongan Hills. The description was then published in a science journal called Nuytsia.

The second part of the plant's scientific name, wonganensis, comes from the name of the town, Wongan Hills. This is the area where this special plant is found.

Where Verticordia wonganensis Lives

This type of verticordia plant grows in sandy soil. You can find it in areas with heathlands (open areas with small shrubs) and shrublands (areas covered in bushes). It only grows near Wongan Hills. This area is part of two special natural regions in Western Australia: the Avon Wheatbelt and the Geraldton Sandplains.

Protecting Verticordia wonganensis

The government of Western Australia cares about protecting this plant. The Department of Parks and Wildlife has classified Verticordia wonganensis as "Priority Two". This means that not much is known about this plant, and it is found in only a few places. Because it's rare and not well-studied, it needs special attention to make sure it stays safe and doesn't disappear.

Growing Verticordia wonganensis in Gardens

People sometimes try to grow Verticordia wonganensis in gardens. They usually try to grow it from cuttings, which are small pieces of the plant. However, it can be quite hard to get these cuttings to grow roots. Even if they do start to grow, it can be difficult to get them to grow well in a garden.