Verticordia densiflora

Verticordia densiflora, commonly known as compacted featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with small leaves, usually small pink and white flowers and which is widespread in the south-west of the state. It is a variable species and in his 1991 paper, Alex George formally described five varieties.

Compacted featherflower
Verticordia densiflora var. densiflora
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Verticordia
Subgenus: Verticordia subg. Verticordia
Section: Verticordia sect. Corymbiformis
Species:
V. densiflora
Binomial name
Verticordia densiflora

Description

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Verticordia densiflora is an openly branched shrub which grows to a height of 2 m (7 ft). The leaves vary in shape from linear to egg-shaped and those nearer the flowers are usually broader than those on the lower part of the stem.[2]

The flowers are scented and arranged in round or corymb-like groups on erect stalks from 1.5 to 9 mm (0.06 to 0.4 in) long, depending on the variety. The floral cup is shaped like half a sphere, about 1.5 mm (0.06 in) long, smooth but hairy near its base. The sepals are pink, cream-coloured or pale yellow, sometimes white, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long, with 3 lobes which have a fringe of coarse hairs. The petals are a similar colour to the sepals, 0.8–2.0 mm (0.03–0.08 in) long, egg-shaped many filaments on their ends. The style is 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, extending beyond the petals and is curved and hairy. Flowering time differs, depending on the variety.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

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Verticordia densiflora was first formally described by John Lindley in 1839 and the description was published in A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony. The type collection was made near the Swan River by James Drummond.[1][3] The specific epithet (densiflora) "from the Latin densus (dense, crowded) and -florus (-flowered), in reference to the inflorescence."[2]

In a review of the genus in 1991, Alex George described five varieties of this species:[4]

George placed this species in subgenus Verticordia, section Corymbiformis along with V. polytricha, V. brownii, V. eriocephala and V. capillaris.[4]

Distribution and habitat

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This verticordia occurs in a wide range of soils and vegetation associations in the south-west of Western Australia, with each variety having slightly differing requirements.[2]

Conservation

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Pedunculata is the rarest of the five varieties and is classified as "Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora — Extant)" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[10] and as "Endangered" (EN) under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).[11] Variety rosteostella is classified as "Priority Three"[12] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[13] The three other varieties are classified as "not threatened".[14][15][16]

Use in horticulture

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Most varieties and forms of this species have been grown and are hardy in gardens in a range of soils and growing conditions. Most can be propagated from cuttings and have horticultural merit.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Verticordia densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Elizabeth A. (Berndt) George; Margaret Pieroni (illustrator) (2002). Verticordia: the turner of hearts (1st ed.). Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. pp. 216–225. ISBN 1-876268-46-8.
  3. ^ Lindley, John (1839). "A Sketch of the Vegetation of the Swan River Colony". Edwards Botanical Register (Appendix): vi. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  4. ^ a b George, Alex (1991). "New taxa, combinations and typifications in Verticordia (Myrtaceae : Chamelaucieae)". Nuytsia. 7 (3): 231–394.
  5. ^ "Verticordia densiflora subsp. densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Verticordia densiflora var. cespitosa". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella". APNI. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Verticordia densiflora pedunculata". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  11. ^ "Approved Conservation Advice for Verticordia densiflora var. pedunculata (Long-stalked Featherflower)" (PDF). Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  12. ^ "Verticordia densiflora rosteostella". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  13. ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Verticordia densiflora densiflora". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  15. ^ "Verticordia densiflora cespitosa". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  16. ^ "Verticordia densiflora stelluligera". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.