Orange Immortelle

Appearance

"Waitzia acuminata steetz" can grow up to 600 mm high and has reddish stems. The plants stem indumentum is sparsely glandular and glandular pilose. It has narrow green leaves that are about 20-70mm long. The flower heads are shaped like an egg or bell and have yellow/orange coloured petals. The plants flowers often grow in bunches from each stem. The plants seeds have a bumpy surface and are narrow with tapered ends. Each seed has up to twenty long fine bristles which protrude from one of the tapered ends. "Waitzia accuminata var. albicans" is a less common variety, it has similar characteristics apart from the flowers. The flowers develop with a pink colour that gradually turns white as the flower blossoms.

Distribution

The species is most abundant in the southern half of Western Australia. It is also sparsely distributed amongst arid parts of the other mainland states. The plant is typically found in environments containing deep sandy red soils and in shallow stony soils amongst mallee and mulgoa woodlands. The plant is also known to grow in saline depressions, sand, loam, gravel, litter, laterite, sand dunes, plains, and clay soils.

Reproduction

The plants germination rate is affected by temperature and light, previous studies have shown the seeds germination rate is greater or more rapid in warmer climatic conditions. Another study has shown that exposure to light can stimulate the plants germination rate. "Waitzia accuminata" uses cross pollination via insects.

Predators

Prior studies studies suggest environments with increased exotic grasses may have decreased abundance of "Waitzia acuminata".

Uses

Due to its aesthetics "Waitzia acuminata" is used in as an ornamental garden plant across parts of Australia. For example, it is featured in the Kings Park Botanic Garden in Western Australia.