Verticordia mitchelliana

Verticordia mitchelliana is a spreading shrub which grows to a height of 20–75 cm (8–30 in) and about 0.2–3 m (0.7–10 ft) wide but sometimes grows as high as 1 m (3 ft). Its leaves are linear in shape, semi-circular in cross-section, 6–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long and have a rounded tip.[2][3][4]

The flowers are arranged singly or in small groups near the ends of the branches, each flower more or less hanging on a stalk 4–16 mm (0.2–0.6 in) long. The floral cup is top-shaped but spreading near the tip, 3 mm (0.12 in) long with a small swelling under each sepal. The sepals are bright red and spreading, 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) long and have 6 or 7 deeply divided, hairy lobes and two hairy, deeply divided ear-like appendages. The petals are pink, bright red, yellow or orange and are 7–9 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long. They are erect, egg-shaped, have short, soft hairs on the outside and a few irregular teeth on the tip. The style is 24–27 mm (0.9–1 in) long and straight, with a few hairs near the tip. Flowering time is from October to December.[2][3][4]

Verticordia mitchelliana was first formally described by Charles Gardner in 1933 from a specimen collected near Bencubbin and the description was published in Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia.[1] The specific epithet (mitchelliana) honours Sir James Mitchell who was Premier of Western Australia at the time.[2]

There are two subspecies:

• Verticordia mitchelliana C.A.Gardner subsp. mitchelliana which has petals 7–8 mm (0.28–0.31 in) long and staminodes 3–4 mm (0.1–0.2 in)s long;[3][5]
• Verticordia mitchelliana subsp. implexior A.S.George & M.D.Barrett which has petals 8.5–11 mm (0.3–0.4 in) long and staminodes 4.5–5 mm (0.18–0.20 in)s long.[3][6]

When Alex George reviewed the genus Verticordia in 1991, he placed this species in subgenus Verticordia, section Intricata along with V. monadelpha, and V. pulchella.[7]

This verticordia grows in sand, usually with other species of Verticordia in heath and shrubland. It occurs in disjunct populations between Peak Charles and Kulja[2] in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie and Mallee biogeographic regions.[4][8][9]

Subspecies mitchelliana is classified as "Priority Three" by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife[8] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[10] Subspecies implexior is classified as "Not Threatened.[9]

Rapier featherflower has been grown in gardens since the 1970s and several forms have been developed. It grows well in a range of soils as long as they are well drained, and it is resistant to pest attack as well as drought- and frost-tolerant. It can be propagated from both seed and from cuttings.[2]