Ptilotus decipiens

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Ptilotus decipiens
Ptilotus decipiens.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. decipiens
Binomial name
Ptilotus decipiens
Synonyms [1]
  • Alternanthera decipiensBenth.
  • Ptilotus hoodii F.Muell.
  • Trichinium hoodiiF.Muell. nom. inval., pro syn.
Habit near Serpentine Gorge Ptilotus decipiens habit.jpg
Habit near Serpentine Gorge

Ptilotus decipiens, commonly known as false mulla mulla, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Australia. It is a dense annual plant or short-lived perennial herb with hairy, elliptic to four-sided or egg-shaped stem leaves, and short, densely packed spikes of whitish flowers.

Contents

Description

Ptilotus decipiens is a dense, annual or short-lived perennial herb with many stems, that typically grows to a height of 20 cm (7.9 in) and has stems and leaves that become glabrous with age. The stem leaves are elliptic, four-sided or egg-shaped, 8–35 mm (0.31–1.38 in) long and 5–19 mm (0.20–0.75 in) long, and there are no leaves at the base of the plant. The flower spikes are short, egg-shaped or cylindrical, up to about 25 mm (0.98 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) wide and densely packed with whitish flowers with colourless bracts and bracteoles with a prominent midrib. The outer tepals are 3.4–4.5 mm (0.13–0.18 in) longer and the inner tepals 2.5–3.6 mm (0.098–0.142 in) long and there are five fertile stamens. [3] [4]

Taxonomy

This species was first formally described in 1870 by George Bentham who gave it the name Alternanthera decipiens in his Flora Australiensis from specimens collected in Queensland. [5] In 1934, Charles Gardner changed the name Ptilotus decipiens in Enumeratio plantarum Australiae occidentalis. [1] The specific epithet (decipiens) means 'deceiving', [6] alluding to the plant's not looking like other species of "Ptilotus". [2]

Distribution and habitat

Ptilotus decipiens grows on rocky or gravelly hills [3] in the Central Ranges, Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara and Tanami bioregions of Western Australia, [4] the southern half of the Northern Territory [3] in South Australia [2] and in Queensland. [1]

Conservation status

Ptilotus decipiens is listed as of "least concern" by the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992 . [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Ptilotus decipiens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ptilotus decipiens". Seeds of South Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Ptilotus decipiens". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Ptilotus daphneae". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  5. ↑ "Alternanthera decipiens". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  6. ↑ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 179. ISBN   9780958034180.
  7. ↑ "Species profile—Ptilotus decipiens". Queensland Government Department of Education and Science. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
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