Verticordia dichroma

Verticordia dichroma is a shrub which grows to a height of 0.3–2 m (1–7 ft) and which has one to a number of stems at its base. The leaves are egg-shaped to almost round, 2–4 mm (0.08–0.2 in) long and often have irregularly toothed margins. The flowers are scented and arranged in spike-like groups on erect stems 1.5–2 mm (0.06–0.08 in) long and the flowers open at about the same time as each other. The floral cup is top-shaped, about 3 mm (0.1 in) long, has 5 ribs and is glabrous and smooth. The sepals are deep red in colour, or deep red with yellow, 4–5.6 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long, with 10 to 12 feathery lobes. The petals are golden-yellow with red spots, egg-shaped, 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) long, about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide with a fringe 1.5–2.5 mm (0.06–0.1 in) long and with deeply-divided, ear-shaped appendages. The style is about 6 mm (0.2 in) long, bent and has long hairs on its sides. Flowering time is from late October to December.

Both varieties grow in deep sand, often with other verticordias, in heath and shrubland.

Subspecies dichroma occurs in the eastern part of Kalbarri National Park, north towards Shark Bay and south to near Northampton, in the Carnarvon, Geraldton Sandplains and Yalgoo biogeographic regions; Subspecies syntoma occurs between the lower Murchison River and Shark Bay, in the same biogeographic regions as var. dichroma.

Both varieties of V. dichroma are worthy of cultivation in gardens due to their spectacular flowers. They are difficult to propagate from cuttings but once established are hardy plants. They are more difficult to grow in eastern Australia.

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