About Verticordia insignis Endl.
Verticordia insignis Endl. is an open, irregularly-branched shrub that reaches a height of 1.5 metres (5 feet). Its leaves are linear to elliptic in shape, roughly triangular in cross-section, and measure 3 to 7 millimetres (0.12 to 0.28 inches) long with a rounded tip. Leaves located near the flowers are typically wider than leaves growing further down the stems. The scented flowers of this species are arranged in rounded, corymb-like clusters at the ends of branches, growing on erect stalks between 8 and 25 millimetres (0.31 to 0.98 inches) long. The floral cup is top-shaped, approximately 4.5 millimetres (0.18 inches) long, covered in short, soft hairs, and has a small swelling beneath each sepal. The sepals range in colour from white to pale or deep pink, are 5 to 7 millimetres (0.20 to 0.28 inches) long, spread outward, and have five to seven lobes covered in long, spreading hairs. The petals are pale to deep pink, shaped from egg-shaped to almost round, measure 3 to 5 millimetres (0.12 to 0.20 inches) long, spread outward, and have short teeth along their edges. The style is fairly straight, glabrous, and between 2.5 and 7 millimetres (0.098 to 0.276 inches) long. Flowering most often occurs from September to November. This verticordia frequently grows alongside other Verticordia species in grey or yellow sand near rocks, in heath and woodland habitats. It is found along the Darling Scarp, extending inland as far as Northam and Brookton, within the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Jarrah Forest, Mallee, Geraldton Sandplains and Swan Coastal Plain biogeographic regions. In horticulture, Verticordia insignis has horticultural potential due to its flowers, which have been described as "outstandingly beautiful, resembling miniature powder puffs". It has been successfully propagated from cuttings, but establishing propagated plants in garden settings has proven difficult.
