Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority - Verticordia cooloomia

Common name: Cooloomia Verticordia

Family: MYRTACEAE

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Origin of Scientific Name

Verticordia – (Latin) refers to the ancient Roman goddess Venus, literally translated means ‘turner of hearts’.

cooloomia – refers to the Cooloomia Nature Reserve where this species occurs.

Description

Verticordia cooloomia is a slender shrub that grows to 2.5 metres, and can spread to almost 3 metres in diameter in its natural habitat of low heath and open banksia shrubland. It appears restricted to only three or four populations in and near Cooloomia Nature Reserve north of the lower Murchison River and as such has been given a Priority 3 conservation status under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

It is clearly recognised by three different leaf forms and has thick bright green foliage, whitish new stems and large prominent heads of brightly coloured yellow flowers that appear from October to March.

The species was first collected by Dr Stephen Hopper (former BGPA Chief Executive Officer), who discovered it while carrying out a survey of Cooloomia Nature Reserve during the spring season of 1979.

Horticultural tips

Propagation is from cuttings from new growth except from the flowering head. Cuttings strike readily, especially during autumn.
Requires full sun and plenty of air circulation for healthy growth and prolific flowering.
Forms a bushy shrub to 1–2 m tall, when kept regularly pruned after flowering.
Looks spectacular when planted in rockeries and in association with other Verticordia sp. or when planted with Anigozanthos rufus ‘Kings Park Federation Flame’ which is in flower the same time of year.

View in Kings Park

Visit Kings Park and Botanic Garden to see Verticordia cooloomia at the entry to the Western Australian Botanic Garden, Roe Gardens and the Conservation Garden (refer to map).