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:''For the clam genus, see ''Verticordia (bivalve). ''Verticordia'', a genus of the Myrtaceae family, are woody shrubs with small and exquisite flowers. They are mostly found in Southwest Australia, with several outlier species in northern regions. A revision of the genus in 1991 produced a classification within ''Verticordia'' of 3 subgenera, 24 sections, and 102 species. ''Verticordia'' species are highly diverse in form, occupy a wide variety of habitat, and may be abundant or rare populations. Their profuse and striking display of intricate flowers have been harvested for floristry and admired as a wildflower. ==Description== The genus is best known for its flowers, often described in superlatives, which form massed displays in woodlands and heaths. These shrubs have appealed to amateur collectors and botanists, and were appreciated by the peoples of Australia before European settlement. The fringed or feathered appearance of the flowers is often enhanced by vivid and contrasting colours: this has given a common name for the genus, the Featherflowers.〔George, E.A. (2002), Verticordia: the turner of hearts: 101〕 The variety displayed within the species, and between species in the genera is highly diverse. The genus is part of the Myrtaceae family which exist, predominantly, in the southern hemisphere. The family was highly successful in southern Jurassic Gondwana, remaining as the highly diverse tree and woody shrub genera found in Australia. ''Verticordia'' are native to Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and are closely related to ''Chamelaucium'', ''Rylstonea'', and ''Darwinia''. The genus ''Homoranthus'', found in other states of Australia, contains two species previously supposed to be ''Verticordia''. The single flowers are often presented erect, these may be supported individually or grouped into tight displays of various arrangements. They may appear in succession or at once. The colour often varies as the flower ages, further adding to a painterly effect. The sepals are divided into lobes, with the exception of ''Verticordia verticordina'', in a variety of thread-like or feathery forms. The colour of the sepals and petals is highly diverse, it may be solid, or variable, or mutable. These may be of several colours, or solid, the striking combinations are of all colours except blue. There is no unisexual flowers in the species. Different species may be growing together, their massed displays creating painterly contrasts in flowering landscapes. They are highly variable in appearance, often as a woody shrub, low or up to 2 metres, two tropical species are 7 metres. Branches may be upright or splayed out, sometimes pendulous, and are tightly or sparsely arranged. Leaves are very small or medium, scattered or opposite, and might be ciliated at the margin. The leaf shape is highly variable across, and these may differ at the base and floral leaves on individuals. Hybrids of different species have been recorded and identified. A variant, known as 'Eric John', appears to be an intergeneric cross between ''V. plumosa'' and ''Chamelaucium floriferum''.
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