Verticordia

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For the clam genus, see Verticordia (bivalve).

Verticordia
Verticordia plumosa 1.jpg
V. plumosa growing on Mount Melville
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Tribe: Chamelaucieae
Genus: Verticordia
DC.
Species

Verticordia is a genus of more than 100 species of plants commonly known as featherflowers, in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. They range in form from very small shrubs such as V. verticordina to trees like V. cunninghamii , some spindly, others dense and bushy, but the majority are woody shrubs up to 2.0 m (7 ft) tall. The flowers are variously described as "feathery", "woolly" or "hairy" and are found in most colours except blue. They often appear to be in rounded groups or spikes but in fact are always single, each flower borne on a separate stalk in a leaf axil. Each flower has five sepals and five petals all of a similar size with the sepals often having feathery or hairy lobes. There are usually ten stamens alternating with variously shaped staminodes. The style is simple, usually not extending beyond the petals and often has hairs near the tip. All but two species are found in Southwest Australia, the other two occurring in the Northern Territory.

Contents

The first scientific collection of verticordia specimens was made in 1791 and the first formal description of a verticordia was written in 1826 but the name Verticordia was not used until 1828. Alex George undertook a revision of the genus and in 1991 published a paper describing three subgenera, 24 sections, and 102 species.

Verticordia species occupy a wide variety of habitats, with some species widespread and abundant whilst others are rare and endangered. The profuse and striking display of intricate flowers of many species has led them to being harvested for floristry or simply admired as a wildflower.

Description

The genus is best known for its flowers, often described in superlatives, which form massed displays in woodlands and heaths. These shrubs have appealed to amateur collectors and botanists, and were appreciated by the peoples of Australia before European settlement. The fringed or feathered appearance of the flowers is often enhanced by vivid and contrasting colours: this has given a common name for the genus, featherflower. [1] The variety displayed within the species, and between species in the genera is highly diverse.

V. chrysantha in Kalbarri National Park Kalbarri Park (2005).jpg
V. chrysantha in Kalbarri National Park
Painting by Ellis Rowan; V. grandis, V. huegelii, V. brachypoda Verticordia grandis, et al (Rowan).jpg
Painting by Ellis Rowan; V. grandis, V. huegelii, V. brachypoda

The genus is part of the family Myrtaceae which exist, predominantly, in the southern hemisphere. The family was highly successful in southern Jurassic Gondwana, remaining as the highly diverse tree and woody shrub genera found in Australia. Verticordia are native to Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and are closely related to Chamelaucium , Rylstonea , and Darwinia . The genus Homoranthus , found in other states of Australia, contains two species previously supposed to be Verticordia.

The single flowers are often presented erect, these may be supported individually or grouped into tight displays of various arrangements. They may appear in succession or at once. The colour often varies as the flower ages, further adding to a painterly effect. The sepals are divided into lobes, with the exception of Verticordia verticordina , in a variety of thread-like or feathery forms. The colour of the sepals and petals is highly diverse, it may be solid, or variable, or mutable.

These may be of several colours, or solid, the striking combinations are of all colours except blue. There is no unisexual flowers in the species. Different species may be growing together, their massed displays creating painterly contrasts in flowering landscapes.

They are highly variable in appearance, often as a woody shrub, low or up to 2 metres, two tropical species are 7 metres. Branches may be upright or splayed out, sometimes pendulous, and are tightly or sparsely arranged. Leaves are very small or medium, scattered or opposite, and might be ciliated at the margin. The leaf shape is highly variable across, and these may differ at the base and floral leaves on individuals.

Hybrids of different species have been recorded and identified. A variant, known as 'Eric John', appears to be an intergeneric cross between V. plumosa and Chamelaucium floriferum . [2]

Taxonomy

Archibald Menzies was the first European naturalist to make collections of verticordias. Menzies sailed on HMS Discovery during the Vancouver Expedition and made his collections in October 1791 near King George Sound, but these specimens would remain undescribed for 35 years. [3] : 5 

The first formal description of a plant now known as a verticordia was by René Desfontaines in 1826. Desfontaines described a specimen which Robert Brown had collected at Lucky Bay in January 1802. Brown had been engaged as naturalist aboard HMS Investigator led by Matthew Flinders. The specimen was given the name Chamaelaucium brownii, [4] in honour of Brown. [3] : 6  [5]

The first formal description of the genus Verticordia was written in 1828 by Augustin de Candolle and published in his Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis . [6] De Candolle transferred Chamelaucium brownii (as Verticordia brownii ) and Chamelaucium fontanesii (now known as Verticordia plumosa ) to the new genus but did not nominate a type species or provide an etymology for the name. [5] It is possible that the type for Chamelaucium fontanesii was collected by Archibald Menzies in 1791 but collections of this species had also been made by Leschenault in 1803. The derivation of the name Verticordia was not explained by de Candolle, but it has generally been taken as a reference to the epithet of the ancient Roman goddess Venus. Venus's sacred flower was the myrtle, of a plant in same family (Myrtaceae) as Verticordia. The name Verticordia, literally translated, means 'turner of hearts'. [7] [3] : 6 

Other early additions to the genus were V. cunninghamii named in 1843 by Johannes Schauer for a collection made by Allan Cunningham, [8] [9] and V. huegelii [10] and V. insignis [11] collected by Charles von Hügel and described by Stephan Endlicher in 1837. [12] The German botanist Ludwig Preiss collected more than 2,000 species of plants whilst living in Western Australia, including those named V. endlicheriana , [13] V. habrantha [14] and V. lehmannii [15] by Schauer in 1843. [9]

In 1991, Alex George undertook a review of the genus and described 84 new species, subspecies, and varieties. All were grouped into three subgenera and twenty-four sections. [16] His infrageneric classification was supported by a study of chromosome number in Verticordia and of barriers to hybridisation. [17]

In 2010, George described a new species, V. setacea and new subspecies of V. mitchelliana. [18]

At present, the subgenera are Chrysoma with seven sections and twenty-one species, subgenus Verticordia with eleven sections and thirty-six species, and subgenus Eperephes with six sections and forty-four species. [3] : 99–114  [16]

Distribution and habitat

Verticordia occur naturally in woodlands, sandy heaths and on granite outcrops. The mediterranean climate, sandy soils of the Southwest of the state, is where the greatest number of Verticordia species are found.

Use in horticulture

Verticordia are known for their feather-like or fringed flowers, the beauty of these is invariably included in any description. This has been accompanied by a high desirability as a garden plant, and as a cut flower. Restrictions exist on the collection of wildflowers in Western Australia, but previous collection of flowers for the floral industry is thought to have placed some species under duress.

They are generally somewhat difficult to grow in cultivation, but some success has been achieved. The most reliable species is V. Plumosa, the Plumed Featherflower, but many other species are found in highly specialised habitat. [19] Outside of their natural habitat Verticordia have shown consistently good results in the temperate regions of Australia. All species require excellent drainage and prefer Mediterranean-type climate of very dry summers and wet winters.

The cultivation of Verticordia in the Eastern states of Australia has proved difficult; many of the species are intolerant of the wet summers of those regions, especially with regard to root or collar rot and moulds and mildew. The successes achieved by some growers have been through the use of bell jars, attention to soil types and potting mixes, and, experimentally, the use of grafting onto plants of related genera, such as Darwinia citriodora and Geraldton Wax, Chamelaucium uncinatum .

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Verticordia brownii</i> Species of plant

Verticordia brownii, commonly known as pink brownii or pink cauliflower is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It has small, neatly arranged, oval leaves and heads of pale pink to magenta or white flowers. It was one of the first verticordias to be collected, although it was not initially known by that name. The collection was made by Robert Brown on the Bass and Flinders circumnavigation of the Australian mainland on HMS Investigator.

<i>Verticordia grandis</i> Species of shrub

Verticordia grandis is a large woody shrub that occurs in Southwest Australia. The name grandis, Latin for large, is a reference to its large flowers, leaves, and height. It is well known for its large flowers, which are collected and cultivated, and given the informal name of scarlet featherflower. It was the first species of the family Myrtaceae to have been genetically modified.

<i>Verticordia plumosa</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia plumosa, commonly known as plumed featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It was the first species in the genus to be described, although initially given the name Chamelaucium plumosum. It is a shrub with linear leaves and rounded groups of scented pink, mauve or white flowers. Two varieties of this species have been declared as being "threatened".

Verticordia albida is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with one main stem with many branches and spike-like groups of scented, white feathery flowers with a pink centre.

Verticordia crebra, commonly known as Barrens featherflower, crowded featherflower or Twertup featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a sprawling shrub with crowded, cylinder-shaped leaves with small, yellow flowers that are almost hidden by the leaves but with a style which extends well beyond the petals. The plant looks superficially like a miniature pine tree.

<i>Verticordia cunninghamii</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia cunninghamii, commonly known as tree featherflower or liandu, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to an area in the extreme north of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It is a spindly shrub or small tree with narrow leaves and cream to white, sweetly scented, feathery flowers.

<i>Verticordia habrantha</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia habrantha, commonly known as hidden featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a slender shrub with short, leafy side-branches and long flowering stems with rounded heads of mostly white flowers. Its hairy sepals are mostly hidden by the round, unfringed petals, and as a result, the plant looks like shrubs in the genus Chamelaucium, to which it is closely related.

<i>Verticordia helichrysantha</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia helichrysantha, commonly known as coast featherflower or Barrens featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, woody, open-branched shrub with crowded, linear leaves and small yellow flowers from May to September.

Verticordia sect. Verticordia is one of eleven sections in the subgenus Verticordia. It includes eight species of plants in the genus Verticordia. Plants in this section are open to bushy shrubs up to 1 m (3 ft) tall with needle-like leaves, feather-like sepals and anthers opening by slanting pores. When Johannes Conrad Schauer described other subgenera in Verticordia, subgenus Verticordia became an autonym after Augustin de Candolle who described the genus in 1828. When Alex George reviewed the genus in 1991, he took the name of this section from that of the subgenus.

Verticordia sect. Chrysoma is one of seven sections in the subgenus Chrysoma. It includes four species of plants in the genus Verticordia. Plants in this section are small shrubs with small, bright yellow flowers which usually turn red as they age. They have sepals with fringed lobes and petals which have lobes arranged like the fingers of a hand. The subgenus Chrysoma was originally described in 1843 by Johannes Conrad Schauer and the description was published in Monographia Myrtacearum Xerocarpicarum. When Alex George reviewed the genus in 1991, he took the name of this section from that of the subgenus.

<i>Verticordia venusta</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia venusta is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an openly branched shrub with small, egg-shaped leaves and spikes of pink to maroon-coloured flowers in spring and early summer.

<i>Verticordia picta</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia picta, commonly known as painted featherflower or china cups, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small to medium sized shrub with pink and cupped flowers that are sweetly scented.

<i>Verticordia endlicheriana</i> Species of shrub

Verticordia endlicheriana is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with narrow leaves and yellow flowers which in some varieties age to red. It is a variable species and in his 1991 paper, Alex George formally described five varieties.

Verticordia endlicheriana var. endlicherliana is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, compact shrub with mostly narrow leaves and golden-yellow flowers which age to reddish brown.

Verticordia endlicheriana var. angustifolia is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, upright shrub with narrow leaves and sweetly-perfumed, golden-yellow flowers which do not change colour as they age.

Verticordia endlicheriana var. major is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, compact shrub with lightly-scented, lemon-yellow flowers which do not change colour as they age.

<i>Verticordia ovalifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia ovalifolia, commonly known as oval-leaved featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an openly branched shrub with egg-shaped leaves and strap-like, feathery petals in spring.

<i>Verticordia roei</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia roei, commonly known as Roe's 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 narrow leaves and is often covered with masses of creamy-white coloured flowers in late spring.

Verticordia sieberi is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with one main stem, often compact but sometimes openly branched and with pink to pale purple flowers in summer and autumn.

References

  1. ↑ George, E.A. (2002), Verticordia: the turner of hearts: 101
  2. ↑ Egerton-Warburton, Louise M.; Ghisalberti, Emilio L.; Burton, Neville C. (1998). "Intergeneric Hybridism between Chamelaucium and Verticordia (Myrtaceae) Based on Analysis of Essential Oils and Morphology". Australian Journal of Botany. 46 (2): 201–208. doi:10.1071/BT96125.
  3. 1 2 3 4 (Berndt) George, Elizabeth A.; Pieroni, Margaret (2002). Verticordia: the turner of hearts. Crawley, Western Australia; Canberra: University Of Western Australia Press. ISBN   978-1-876268-46-6.
  4. ↑ "Chamelaucium brownii". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  5. 1 2 Desfontaines, René Louiche (1819). "Supplément au mémoire sur le genre Chamelaucium". Mémoires du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle. 5: 271. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Verticordia DC". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  7. ↑ Sharr, F.A., ed. (1996). Western Australian plant names and their meanings : a glossary (2nd (Enlarged) ed.). University of Western Australia Press. p. 73. ISBN   1875560432.
  8. ↑ "Verticordia cunninghamii". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  9. 1 2 Schauer, Johannes Conrad (1843). Monographia Myrtacearum Xerocarpicarum. p. 207. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  10. ↑ "Verticordia huegelii". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  11. ↑ "Verticordia insignis". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  12. ↑ Endlicher, Stephan (1837). Enumeratio plantarum quas in Novae Hollandiae ora austro-occidentali ad fluvium Cygnorum et in Sinu Regis Georgii collegit Carolus liber baro de Hugel. Vienna. pp. 46–47. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "Verticordia endlicheriana". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "Verticordia habrantha". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "Verticordia lehmannii". APNI. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  16. 1 2 George, Alex (1991). "New taxa, combinations and typifications in Verticordia (Myrtaceae : Chamelaucieae)". Nuytsia. 7 (3): 231–394.
  17. ↑ Tyagi, AP.; Mccomb, J.; Considine, J. (1991). "Cytogenetic and Pollination Studies in the Genus Verticordia DC (Abstract)". Australian Journal of Botany. 39 (3): 261–272. doi:10.1071/BT9910261.
  18. ↑ George, Alex S.; Barrett, Matthew D. (2010). "Two new taxa of Verticordia (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae) from south-western Australia". Nuytsia. 20: 309–318.
  19. ↑ Elliot, Rodger (December 1999). "Shrubby Myrtles". Australian Plants online. ASGAP . Retrieved 26 September 2008.

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