FFF66 - CROWEA EXALATA

Crowea exalata, or Small Crowea, is a flowering plant in the family Rutaceae, which is native to the states of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It is a small shrub growing to 1 metre tall. It is named after James Crowe, an 18th-19th century surgeon and botanist. The specific name exalata means without wings, referring to the lack of ridges on the stems - this is not a definitive characteristic.

This species flowers during most months of the year, resting only in extremes of heat and cold, and with flushes in autumn and spring. Pointed buds open to five-petalled starry flowers 2 cm across, in clear tints of rose purple. They are of a solid waxy substance, and make a vivid display for the size of the plant. Before falling they close again to look like buds of deeper pink. Propagation by cuttings is easy using tip growth (which is very soft in character), at a half-ripe stage.

Nurseries dealing in native plants usually stock this small shrub and it should be planted in light, lime-free soil. A position with some shade is desirable - otherwise the soil should be shaded in some way from hot sun. This may be done by surrounding the plant with 5-10 cm of leaves, bush litter or compost. Rocks make an attractive setting, and in fact this is a beautiful rockery subject. Pruning should be done to maintain bushy growth, or a straggly plant with bare stems may develop. The end of winter is a good time to do this - or any time when sprigs of cut flowers are wanted, as these are dainty and long-lasting in water.

Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so!

FFF66

1.	NixPixMix	10.	cameliia ikebana and poem	19.	doris	28.	Shirley USA
2.	Nick, Melbourne	11.	Fitness Buff	20.	Synnöve	29.	Ingmarie We/Refugium
3.	Sallie (FullTime life)	12.	Enerhagen, Norway	21.	Firas, India	30.	Bev's Rose Kalanchoe
4.	Tina´s PicStory	13.	BirgittaB	22.	Chris	31.	Susan
5.	Zauberpalme	14.	NatureFootstep Photo	23.	Bernie in Australia	32.	Rajesh, India
6.	Gunilla	15.	bettyl - New Zealand	24.	Moni	33.	ann
7.	Luna Miranda	16.	Emille/Jesh StG	25.	guild-rez Canada	34.	Meghana, India
8.	Hazel	17.	Jama-Singapore	26.	Xavi
9.	Liz (mlc)	18.	Sleepshort	27.	Shutter Happy Jenn

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