Verticordia cunninghamii

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Verticordia cunninghamii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Myrtales Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Verticordia Species: V. cunninghamii
Binomial name
Verticordia cunninghamii Schauer

Verticordia cunninghamii is a large shrub or small tree occurring in the north of Western Australia and extending into the Northern Territory. The species is named for Allan Cunningham, who gathered the type collection at Roe River in the Kimberley region on the 14th December, 1820. It is also known by the common name of Tree Featherflower, or the indigenous name of Liandu.

Growing up to 7 metres tall, the shrub or tree may be bushy; exposure to fire may induce several large stems to emerge from the lignotuber. The flowers are creamy and cream or white, sweetly scented, and arranged in spreading, rounded groups. The leaves on the stems are similar to those on the floral branches, they are linear, with entire margins, have distinct oil glands, and may be cylindrical or angled in profile.

Widespread distribution in the Kimberley and Northern regions, it also occurs in Kakadu National Park. The species is usually associated with areas of seasonal flooding and watercourses, or along creeks, and has a preference for loam or gravel at exposed sandstone, growing in the white, or grey, or red sands there.

Verticordia cunninghamii is the type species for Verticordia sect. Tropica. This section includes two other outlying species of an otherwise West Australian genus; Verticordia verticillata and Verticordia decussata.

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