Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella

Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella 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 small groups of star-like, yellowish and pink flowers. It is one of 5 varieties of the species Verticordia densiflora.

Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella

Priority Three — Poorly Known Taxa (DEC)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Verticordia
Species:
V. densiflora
Variety:
V. d. var. rosteostella
Trinomial name
Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella

Description

Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella is an openly branched shrub which usually grows to a height of 30–60 cm (10–20 in) and width of 40–90 cm (20–40 in) but sometimes grows as high as 1.3 m (4 ft). The leaves vary in shape from linear to egg-shaped and those near the flowers are 1.5–2.0 mm (0.06–0.08 in) wide.[2]

The flowers are scented and arranged in many small groups on erect stalks from 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long. The flowers are star-like, creamy-white and pink, sometimes lemon and pink. 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 2.3–2.6 mm (0.09–0.1 in) long, with 3 lobes which have a fringe of coarse hairs. The petals are a similar colour to the sepals, 0.8–1.9 mm (0.03–0.07 in) long, egg-shaped with many filaments on their ends. The style is 5–6 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long, extending beyond the petals and is curved and hairy. Flowering occurs from September to December.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

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.[3] In 1991, Alex George undertook a review of the genus Verticordia and described five varieties of Verticordia densiflora including this variety.[1]

Distribution and habitat

This variety of V. densiflora usually grows in sand, sometimes with gravel or loam, often with other species of Verticordia in heath and shrubland. It occurs between Kalbarri and Eneabba near the coast and as far inland as Morawa[2] in the Avon Wheatbelt and Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic regions.[4]

Conservation

Verticordia densiflora var. rosteostella is classified as "Priority Three" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[4] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[5]

Use in horticulture

This variety is difficult to propagate and few attempts have been successful. Its attractive appearance in flower in the wild suggests it has horticultural potential.[2]

References
  1. "Verticordia densiflora rosteostella". APNI. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  2. Elizabeth A. (Berndt) George; Margaret Pieroni (illustrator) (2002). Verticordia: the turner of hearts (1st ed.). Crawley, Western Australia: University of Western Australia Press. pp. 222–223. ISBN 1-876268-46-8.
  3. "Verticordia densiflora". APNI. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  4. "Verticordia densiflora rosteostella". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
  5. "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
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