Verticordia chrysostachys

Family: Myrtaceae
Distribution: Sandy or gravelly soils between about Geraldton and Kalbarri in Western Australia.
Common Name: No generally accepted common name.
Conservation Status: Not considered to be at risk in the wild at the species level although the distribution of var. pallida is poorly known.
Derivation of Name: Verticordia…meaning “turns the heart”, presumably the effect on botanist de Candolle who named the genus
chrysostachys…. From Greek, chrysos, gold and stachys, an ear of corn (in the sense of a spike), referring to the colour of the flower clusters.

General Description:

Verticordia is a genus of very showy Australian plants, a number of which are well know in the cut flower trade. The vast majority are confined to Western Australia with two or three occurring in other states. The genus has undergone botanical revision in recent years and 99 species are now recognised. The popularity of some species for floral arrangements has resulted in overpicking from the wild and research into farming of selected forms is being undertaken. The plants are commonly referred to as “morrisons” or “feather flowers”, due to the fringed calyx lobes.

Verticordia chrysostachys is a small to medium shrub of upright habit to about 2 metres in height. Two varieties are recognised: var.chrysostachys with golden yellow flowers and var.pallida, usually with cream coloured flowers and with leaves having recurved margins.

The species has small, oval shaped leaves to about 8 mm long by 5 mm wide, closely spaced on the stems. The 5-petalled, flowers are about 10 mm in diameter and are usually golden yellow or cream in colour sometimes with varying degrees of red spotting. They occur in clusters and are usually seen in late spring to summer.

Being native to a Mediterranean-type climate of very dry summers and wet winters, verticordias, in general, have not proven to be easily cultivated in more humid climates. V.chrysostachys is no exception, however, it has been successful in Sydney in a very well drained, raised garden bed in an open situation. In drier climates, cultivation is reasonably successful.

Propagation can be carried out from seed but germination can be erratic and slow, sometimes taking well over a year. Cuttings of hardened, current season’s growth can be successful may may not give a high percentage strike. The use of a root-promoting hormone seems advantageous. Because of the horticultural potential of V.chrysostachys and other members of the genus, some research into grafting has been carried out. This is showing some success using Darwinia citriodora or Chamelaucium uncinatum (Geraldton wax) as rootstocks.