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November 19, 2008 : Lechenaultia macrantha
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Plant Family / Families: Goodeniaceae
Scientific Name and Author: Lechenaultia macrantha K. Krause
Name Location: Western Australia, Australia
Local photographer Ron Long was kind enough to share one of his images today. If you're a local reader of BPotD, Ron will be sharing more of his images on Thursday (or tonight, by the time I complete this entry...) in a presentation to Nature Vancouver: Adventures of a Modern Plant Hunter -- photographs from his 2008 travels in California, Oregon, Ontario and Colorado. Do attend if you can (I'll be there!).
Today's photograph is from Ron's recent trip to Western Australia. I'll quote from his email to me: "The wreath flower is one of the iconic plants of Western Australia. It occurs in a very small area and like many desert plants may or may not appear in a given year. When it does flower in creates a considerable stir and people travel great distances to see it. I even came across a hand-written sign in the Gents at a caravan park giving directions to some of the plants."
Wreath flower seems like a highly appropriate common name (which reminds me -- another tidbit for local readers -- the wreath sale begins next Wednesday), though wreath leschenaultia is also sometimes used. The additional "s" in the common name is explained in that link, as well as a top-down view of an individual plant clearly illustrating the wreath shape.
A distribution map for the species is available from FloraBase: Lechenaultia macrantha. What I find particularly intriguing about its family, the Goodeniaceae, is that the family has a widespread distribution (found on all continents except for Europe and Antarctica), but it is only in Australia where representatives of the family can be found in a continental (interior) climate. Throughout the other continents, species within this family are always found near an ocean.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at November 19, 2008 11:35 PM
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Comments
Posted by: CherriesWalks at November 20, 2008 1:53 AM
Could someone describe what I am looking at? this is so unusual and I cannot get a size perspective on the wreath and also what is the green, evergreen-looking plant in the cent of the wreath of flowers?
Thanks.
Posted by: lj orlin at November 20, 2008 3:45 AM
If it is named after someone called Leschenault, then surely the missing 's' should be added as per the provisions of ICBN Art. 60? "The original spelling of a name or epithet is to be retained, except for the correction of typographical or orthographical errors" (my italics). I can't see that dropping the 's' is an intentional latinisation of the name.
Posted by: Michael F at November 20, 2008 3:54 AM
The surrounding soil color stands out in stark contrast. What type of soil does Lechenaultia macrantha grow in?
(I was wondering about a parenthetical pronunciation guide after each entry.)
Great photo!
Posted by: TC at November 20, 2008 5:01 AM
This is beautiful, thanks so much!
Posted by: ingrid at November 20, 2008 6:59 AM
Ooh. Sweet.
Posted by: van at November 20, 2008 7:18 AM
The Wreath flower is about 18 inches in diameter and most plants are almost perfectly round. The green center consists of the leaves and stems of the plant.
The red color is characteristic of the soils in many parts of Western Australia and is caused by iron oxide - rust. The soils are very ancient dating back to Gondwanaland. There has been no glaciation or volcano activity in Australia so the soils have never been renewed. The result is very poor soil quality everywhere.Yet the plants have adapted and that's what makes them so interesting.
Posted by: Ron Long at November 20, 2008 7:31 AM
That is so beautiful! I love looking here! That red dirt is pretty. In Hawaii, the red dirt is so strong that if you wash a white T-shirt and put a little red dirt in the washer, the shirt comes out red! I can't get over how beautiful those are! My Dad and I like to take pictures of flowers in our backyard.
Posted by: A at November 20, 2008 8:30 AM
What a gorgeous plant!!
I am impressed that there appears to be almost nothing else growing here, and yet this plant is thriving.
Posted by: Bob Wilson at November 20, 2008 10:17 AM
ron and daniel
is this not a wonderful plant
perhaps i could find a similar
plant and flowers and grow one of my own
or faux flowers for my holiday wreath here
here in florida thank you daniel
i just came over from mr longs page
you are just very good you surely are
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart at November 20, 2008 12:48 PM
Sorry to pick you up on your observations of Australian soil Ron but not all Aussie soil is poor! We do have some areas of ancient volcanic activity with soil (mostly east coast) which is rich, red and deep and grows great potatoes (Western district of Victoria) and great gardens (e.g. Macedon Ranges Central Vic near me).
Posted by: Melanie Kinsey at November 21, 2008 4:19 PM
Red soil is also present in PEI famous of course for its spuds. Then there is the red planet Mars. And of course the red hemoglobin and blood of all higher animals vertebrates but also mulluscs and worms such as the earthworm.
All these reds are caused by FeO iron oxide or Fe2O3.
Posted by: Alex Jablanczy at November 25, 2008 7:32 AM
Please share your comments about the photograph(s) and accompanying write-up. Telling a story about the subject of the photograph(s) is also much appreciated! If you have a gardening question, the best place to ask is on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums. Thank you!
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Wow! Totally beautiful!