About Verticordia plumosa (Desf.) Druce
Verticordia plumosa, commonly called plumed featherflower, is most often an openly branched shrub that grows up to 1.4 metres (5 feet) tall. Its leaves are linear in shape, semi-circular in cross-section, and measure 1.5 to 14 millimetres (0.06 to 0.6 inches) long. The flowers of this species are scented, and arranged in rounded or corymb-like groups on stalks that are 1.5 to 11 millimetres (0.06 to 0.4 inches) long. The floral cup is hemispherical in shape, 1.5 to 2 millimetres (0.06 to 0.08 inches) long, with a smooth surface and a covering of hairs. Sepals are pink, mauve, or white, 1.5 to 5 millimetres (0.06 to 0.2 inches) long, and spread widely, bearing between 3 and 7 feathery lobes. Petals share the same colour range as the sepals, and are elliptic to egg-shaped, measuring 2 to 4.5 millimetres (0.08 to 0.2 inches) long. They are initially spreading, but curve upwards as they mature. The style is 4.5 to 8 millimetres (0.2 to 0.3 inches) long, curved, and covered with hairs near its tip. The timing of flowering varies between different varieties of this species. Most populations of plumed featherflower grow in near-coastal areas, ranging from the Arrowsmith River to regions east of Esperance. The variety Verticordia plumosa var. intercrassa is found further inland, near the areas of Newdegate and Hyden.
