Leucopogon verticillatus

Leucopogon verticillatus, or tassel flower, is the tallest epacrid in Western Australia. Its striking form and similarity to bamboo made it the first Western Australia export to Japan, where it is used in flower arrangement. It was one of the many species authored by Scottish botanist Robert Brown, appearing in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.[1]

Leucopogon verticillatus
Leucopogon verticillatus in Beelu National Park.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Leucopogon
Species:
L. verticillatus
Binomial name
Leucopogon verticillatus
Occurrence data from AVH

The leaves form whorls around the stalk separated by gaps of 3–6 cm. The leaves are a light green to yellow-orange in colour and have clear veins. The small flowers form tassels of pink or red. It grows in heavy soils in Karri, Jarrah, Tingle and similar forests in the south-west botanical province. The plant is an understorey plant and likes partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if sufficient water is available.

Cultivation

Tassel flower is difficult to keep in cultivation. It strikes only very slowly and seed has not been successful. It may be necessary to use soils high in laterite or to provide appropriate leaf-litter to maintain a mycorrhizal fungus.

References
  1. "Leucopogon verticillatus R.Br". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
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