Ptilotus chamaecladus

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Ptilotus chamaecladus
Ptilotus chamaecladus.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Ptilotus
Species:
P. chamaecladus
Binomial name
Ptilotus chamaecladus
Synonyms [1]
  • Ptilotus latifolius subsp. chamaecladus(Diels) Benl nom. inval.
  • Ptilotus latifolius var. chamaecladus(Diels) C.A.Gardner ex Benl
Habit near Paynes Find Ptilotus chamaecladus habit.jpg
Habit near Paynes Find

Ptilotus chamaecladus is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a prostrate spreading to ascending annual herb, with leaves that are hairy at first, later glabrous, and oval or cylindrical spikes of purple-mauve flowers.

Contents

Description

Ptilotus chamaecladus is a prostrate spreading to ascending annual herb that typically grows to 5–60 cm (2.0–23.6 in) high with several stems that are hairy at first, later glabrous. Its leaves are egg-shaped, 4–130 mm (0.16–5.12 in) long and 1–48 mm (0.039–1.890 in) wide. The flowers are densely arranged in oval or cylindrical, purple-mauve spikes. The bracts are dark brown, 4–5.6 mm (0.16–0.22 in) long and the bracteoles 3.5–4.6 mm (0.14–0.18 in) long but not awned. The outer tepals are 5.5–5.9 mm (0.22–0.23 in) long, the inner tepals 5.4–5.7 mm (0.21–0.22 in) long. The style is 1.9–2.6 mm (0.075–0.102 in) long, curved and eccentrically fixed to the ovary. Flowering occurs from July to December. [2]

Taxonomy

Ptilotus chamaecladus was first formally described in 1904 by Ludwig Diels in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie from specimens collected near Carnarvon. [3] [4] The specific epithet (chamaecladus) means 'branch-on-the-earth'. [5]

Distribution and habitat

Ptilotus chamaecladus grows on flodplains, creek beds and claypans in the Avon Wheatbelt, Carnarvon, Coolgardie, Gascoyne, Geraldton Sandplains, Gibson Desert, Great Victoria Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Murchison, Pilbara and Yalgoo bioregions of Western Australia. [2]

Conservation status

This species of Ptilotus is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. [2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Ptilotus chamaecladus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ptilotus chamaecladus". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. ↑ "Ptilotus chamaecladus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  4. ↑ Diels, Ludwig; Pritzel, Ernst Georg (1904). "Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae occidentalis. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Pflanzen Westaustraliens, ihrer Verbreitung und ihrer Lebensverhaltnisse". Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie. 35 (2–3): 193. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
  5. ↑ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 161. ISBN   9780958034180.
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