Ptilotus calostachyus

Ptilotus calostachyus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Genus:	Ptilotus
Species:	P. calostachyus
Binomial name
Ptilotus calostachyus F.Muell. [1]
Synonyms [1]
Arthrotrichum calostachyumF.Muell. nom. inval., nom. prov. Arthrotrichum calostachyumF.Muell. nom. inval., nom. prov. Ptilotus calostachyusF.Muell. var. calostachyus Ptilotus calostachyus var. procerus(Diels) Benl Trichinium calostachyum(F.Muell.) F.Muell. ex Benth. Trichinium procerum Diels

Habit north of Newman

Ptilotus calostachyus, commonly known as weeping mulla mulla, ^[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to northern Australia. It is an erect, spreading perennial herb or shrub with stem leaves and spikes of pinkish-white flowers.

Description

Ptilotus calostachyus is an erect, spreading perennial herb or shrub that typically grows to 0.2–2 m (7.9 in – 6 ft 6.7 in) high. There are no leaves at the base of the plant, but the stems have leaves arranged alternately, 10–90 mm (0.39–3.54 in) long and 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) wide. The flowers are pinkish-white and densely arranged in cylindrical spikes. The bracts are mostly 1.7–3.2 mm (0.067–0.126 in) long and the bracteoles are 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) long, colourless and sometimes hairy. The outer tepals are 3.3–6 mm (0.13–0.24 in) long and the inner tepals are 3.3–5.8 mm (0.13–0.23 in) long. The style is 1.4–2.5 mm (0.055–0.098 in) long. Flowering occurs from March to October. ^[2]

Taxonomy

Ptilotus calostachyus was first formally described in 1868 by Ferdinand von Mueller in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae . ^{[3] [4]} The specific epithet (calostachyus) means 'beautiful flower spike'. ^[5]

Distribution

This species of Ptilotus grows on sandy or stony plains and ridges in the northern half of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and in two locations north of Camooweal in Queensland, but close to the Northern Territory border. ^{[2] [6] [7]}

Conservation status

This species of Ptilotus is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, ^[2] and as of "least concern" under the Northern Territory Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act ^[6] and the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992 . ^[8]

See also

• List of Ptilotus species

References

1. "Ptilotus calostachyus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
2. "Ptilotus calostachyus". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
3. "Ptilotus calostachyus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
4. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1868). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Melbourne: Victorian Government. pp. 231–232. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
5. George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 155. ISBN   9780958034180.
6. "Ptilotus calostachyus". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
7. Bean, Anthony R. (2008). "A synopsis of Ptilotus (Amaranthaceae) in eastern Australia". Telopea. 12 (2): 232. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
8. "Species profile—Ptilotus calostachyus". Queensland Government Department of Education and Science. Retrieved 25 February 2025.