Verticordia serotina

Verticordia serotina is a shrub with a single main branch and many side-branches and which usually grows to a height of 30–70 cm (10–30 in). The leaves are elliptic, egg-shaped or almost round and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long.[2]

The flowers are scented and arranged in spike-like groups near the ends of the branches, each flower on a spreading stalk 1–2 mm (0.04–0.08 in) long. The floral cup is top-shaped, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long, rough, glabrous and has curved green appendages. The sepals are 8–9 mm (0.31–0.35 in) long, spreading, deep pink with 12 or 13 feathery lobes. The petals are a similar colour to the petals, 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, with pointed lobes around its edge. The style is 8 mm (0.3 in) long, curved and hairy on one side. Flowering time is from August to September, sometimes later.[2]

Verticordia serotina was first formally described by Alex George in 1991 from a specimen he collected near Exmouth and the description was published in Nuytsia.[1][3] The specific epithet (serotina) is a Latin words meaning "happening late"[4] referring to the later flowering of this species compared to the closely related V. forrestii.[2]

George placed this species in subgenus Eperephes, section Pennuligera along with V. comosa, V. chrysostachys, V. lepidophylla, V. aereiflora, V. dichroma, V. x eurardyensis, V. muelleriana, V. argentea, V. albida, V. fragrans, V. venusta, V. forrestii, V. oculata, V. etheliana and V. grandis.[3]

This verticordia usually grows in deep sand in heath and shrubland. It occurs in the Cape Range National Park and nearby stations[2] in the Carnarvon biogeographic region.[5]

Verticordia serotina is classified as "Priority Two" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife,[5] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only one or a few locations.[6]

Verticordia serotina has only been successfully cultivated in Kings Park Botanic Garden. It has been propagated from cuttings and by grafting onto Chamelaucium uncinatum rootstock.[2]