Verticordia verticillata

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

Verticordia verticillata is a shrub or small tree occurring in the north of Western Australia and extending into the Northern Territory. The species is named for verticillatus, the Latin term for whorled, for the leaf arrangement that distinguishes it from its cogenor, Verticordia cunninghamii. It is also known by the common name of Tropical (or Whorled-leaved) Featherflower.

Growing from 2 to 6 metres high, the plants may be 1 or 2 metres across, the shrub or tree is openly branched; 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, are 6 - 25 mm long, and may be cylindrical or angled in profile.

Widespread distribution in the Kimberley and Northern regions, it also occurs on offshore islands. 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.

The species is classified as being in the section, Verticordia sect. Tropica, along with two other outlying species of the otherwise West Australian genus; Verticordia cunninghamii and Verticordia decussata. V. cunninghamii and this species, while very similar in appearance, can be distinguished by their leaves; this species lack the distinct scented oil glands and they are whorled in their arrangement. The flowers also differentiate these tropical species, Verticordia verticillata has larger ones, the petals are spread, and have more prominent styles.

A number of early collections of this species were made, however the type collection was made by Clyde Dunlop in October 1973.

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