Verticordia chrysostachys

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Verticordia chrysostachys
Verticordia chrysostachys.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Verticordia
Subgenus: Verticordia subg. Eperephes
Section: Verticordia sect. Pennuligera
Species:
V. chrysostachys
Binomial name
Verticordia chrysostachys

Verticordia chrysostachys is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an open-branched shrub with egg-shaped to almost circular leaves, and spike-like groups of cream-coloured or deep yellow flowers.

Contents

Description

Verticordia chrysostachys is an open-branched shrub with a single stem at the base and which grows to a height of 0.7–2.0 m (2–7 ft) and a spread of 0.3–1.5 m (1–5 ft). The leaves are egg-shaped to almost circular, 2.5–5.0 mm (0.1–0.2 in) long and slightly glaucous. [1] [2]

The flowers are scented, arranged in spike-like groups in leaf axils near the ends of the branches and are deep yellow to cream-coloured. The flowers are held on stalks 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long. The floral cup is top-shaped, about 3.0 mm (0.1 in) long, with 5 ribs and glabrous. The sepals are deep yellow or cream, 4.0–6.5 mm (0.16–0.26 in) long, with 7 to 12 densely feathery lobes. The petals are a similar colour to the sepals but often also with red spots, egg-shaped, 5.0–7.0 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long with a fringe and ear-like appendages. The style is 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) long, bent, with hairs mostly on one side. Flowering time is from November to January. [1] [2]

Taxonomy and naming

Verticordia chrysostachys was first formally described by Carl Meissner in 1857 and the description was published in Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Botany from specimens collected by James Drummond. [3] [4] The specific epithet (chrysostachys) is derived from the Ancient Greek words khrusos meaning "gold" [5] and stachys meaning "a spike" [6] referring to the flowers. [1]

When Alex George reviewed the genus in 1991, he described two varieties of V.chrysostachys: [7]

In the same paper, George placed this species in subgenus Eperephes, section Pennuligera along with V. comosa , V. lepidophylla , V. aereiflora , V. dichroma , V. x eurardyensis , V. muelleriana , V. argentea , V. albida , V. fragrans , V. venusta , V. forrestii , V. serotina , V. oculata , V. etheliana and V. grandis . [7]

Distribution and habitat

This verticordia grows in sandy soils with clay, loam or gravel, often with other verticordias in shrubland and woodland. Var. chyrsostachya occurs near the Murchison River and the area between it and Northampton, Yuna, Mullewa and Geraldton in the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region. [1] [10] Variety pallida has a similar range, extending into the Avon Wheatbelt region. [1] [11] In some areas in has produced natural hybrids with other verticordias and in some areas there are hybrid swarms. [1]

Conservation

Verticordia chrysostachys is classified as "not threatened" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife [10] but var. pallida is classified as "Priority Three" [11] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat. [12]

Use in horticulture

Several forms of both varieties of V. chrysostachys have been successfully cultivated in Western Australia, generally in well-drained soil in a sunny position. Propagation from seed, from cuttings, by grafting onto Chamelaucium uncinatum have all been successful. [1] [2] The Western Australian Government Department of Agriculture has developed guidelines for the cultivation of this and other verticordia species for commercial production due to their potential for the cut flower trade. [13]

Related Research Articles

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

Verticordia huegelii, commonly known as variegated featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a sometimes an erect shrub, sometimes sprawling to almost prostrate. It has linear leaves and very feathery flowers in spring. The flowers are usually cream-coloured or white, becoming pinkish and reddish or maroon as the flowers age, giving a variegated appearance to the display.

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

Verticordia argentea is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an erect, open shrub with almost circular leaves and scented, pink and white flowers. It usually grows in sand and is found near Eneabba.

Verticordia verticordina is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area near the coast of the south-west of Western Australia. It is a small, low-growing shrub with crowded leaves and in spring, scattered pale greenish-cream and golden brown flowers. Its unusual flowers and fleshy leaves give the plant a superficial resemblance to a Darwinia.

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

Verticordia centipeda is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub with a single stem at the base, small crowded leaves and greenish-pink flowers with a silvery fringe, in spike-like groups on the ends of the branches. It is common in areas around Geraldton.

Verticordia comosa 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, broad, almost round leaves and spikes of flowers that are pale yellow, sometimes with a white or pale pink centre.

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

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.

<i>Verticordia densiflora <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> densiflora</i> Variety of flowering plant

Verticordia densiflora var. densiflora 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 and pink or, occasionally white flowers. It is one of 5 varieties of the species Verticordia densiflora.

Verticordia densiflora var. stelluligera 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 leaves and small clusters of yellowish or pink and cream flowers. It is one of 5 varieties of the species Verticordia densiflora.

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

Verticordia dichroma is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a much-branched shrub with rounded leaves and spikes of scented, deep red and golden-coloured flowers.

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.

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

Verticordia etheliana 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 highly branched main stem, egg-shaped to almost round leaves and spike-like groups of bright red flowers with greenish-cream centres.

Verticordia etheliana var. etheliana 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 highly branched main stem, egg-shaped to almost round leaves and spike-like groups of bright red flowers with greenish-cream centres. It differs from V. etheliana var. formosa in having longer leaves, and larger flowers.

<i>Verticordia huegelii <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> decumbens</i> Variety of flowering plant

Verticordia huegelii var. decumbens, commonly known as variegated featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an almost prostrate shrub, with creamish-lemon coloured flowers turning pink then red as they age, giving the plant a variegated appearance. It is similar to Verticordia huegelii var. huegelii but has a lignotuber and a lower growth habit.

Verticordia huegelii var. stylosa, commonly known as variegated featherflower, is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a single-stemmed shrub with its growth form depending on its surroundings. It is similar to other varieties of the species but differs in its flower colour and the form of the style and staminodes.

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

Verticordia lepidophylla is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is usually a bushy shrub with small leaves and spikes of creamish-green to yellow flowers in spikes along the branches in late spring to early summer.

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

Verticordia lindleyi is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is sometimes an openly branched shrub, other times more or less dense, with small leaves and spreading, spike-like groups of pink or purple flowers along the stems in summer, sometimes also in autumn.

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

Verticordia luteola is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a more or less openly branched shrub with crowded leaves on its side branches and spikes of pale yellow or bright pink flowers which turn cream to brownish as they age. This verticordia is a summer-flowering species.

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

Verticordia muelleriana is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is an openly branched shrub with relatively large, egg-shaped to circular leaves and long spikes of deep maroon coloured flowers in spring and early summer.

Verticordia paludosa 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 leaves and pink to magenta flowers with spreading, feathery sepals and erect, fringed petals in summer and autumn.

<i>Verticordia <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> eurardyensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Verticordia × eurardyensis, commonly known as Eurardy magenta, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to a small area in the south-west of Western Australia. It is a shrub similar to both Verticordia dichroma and Verticordia spicata which grow in the same area and is thought to be a stable hybrid between those two species. It has mostly egg-shaped leaves and spike-like groups of dark magenta-coloured flowers which fade to straw-coloured, in late spring and early summer.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Elizabeth A. (Berndt) George; Margaret Pieroni (illustrator) (2002). Verticordia: the turner of hearts (1st ed.). Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. pp. 368–370. ISBN   1-876268-46-8.
  2. 1 2 3 "Verticordia chrysostachys". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Verticordia chrysostachys". APNI. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Meisner, Carl (1857). "On some new species of Chamaelauciae". Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Botany. 1: 41. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Moore, Bruce, ed. (2002). The Australian Oxford Dictionary (1999 ed.). South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press. p. 1601. ISBN   0195507932.
  6. ↑ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012). CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants : Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC. p. 1601. ISBN   9781420080445.
  7. 1 2 George, Alex (1991). "New taxa, combinations and typifications in Verticordia (Myrtaceae : Chamelaucieae)". Nuytsia. 7 (3): 231–394.
  8. ↑ "Verticordia chrysostachys var. chrysostachys". APNI. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Verticordia chrysostachys var. pallida". APNI. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Verticordia chrysostachys var. chrysostachys". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  11. 1 2 "Verticordia chrysostachys var. pallida". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  12. ↑ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Grafted Verticordia Cultivation". Western Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Food. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
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