Ptilotus declinatus

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Ptilotus declinatus
Ptilotus declinatus - Flickr - Kevin Thiele.jpg
Near Chittering
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Ptilotus
Species:
P. declinatus
Binomial name
Ptilotus declinatus
Synonyms [1]
  • Trichinium declinatum(Nees) Moq.
  • Trichinium eriocephalumMoq.
Habit near Bindoon Ptilotus declinatus.jpg
Habit near Bindoon

Ptilotus declinatus, commonly known as curved mulla mulla, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a prostrate or ascending perennial herb, with leaves at the base of the plant and stem leaves that are hairy at first, later glabrous, and oval, hemispherical or spherical spikes of pink or magenta flowers.

Contents

Description

Ptilotus declinatus is a prostrate or ascending perennial herb that typically grows to a height of 3–20 cm (1.2–7.9 in) tall, its stems hairy at first, later glabrous. The leaves are arranged in rosettes at the base of the plant and on the stems, 3–55 mm (0.12–2.17 in) long and 1–5 mm (0.039–0.197 in) wide. The flowers are arranged in dense oval, hemispherical or cylindrical spikes with bracts 7.5 mm (0.30 in) long and bracteoles 6.5–10.4 mm (0.26–0.41 in) long at the base. The outer tepals are 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long, the inner tepals 14–19 mm (0.55–0.75 in) long. The style is 1.2 mm (0.047 in) long. Flowering occurs from September to December and the seeds are glossy brown, 1.6–1.8 mm (0.063–0.071 in) long. [2]

Taxonomy

Ptilotus declinatus was first formally described in 1845 by Nees von Esenbeck in Lehmann's book Plantae Preissianae . [3] [4] The specific epithet (declinatus) means 'bent', or 'turned aside'. [5]

Distribution

Ptilotus declinatus is found in the Geraldton Sandplains, Swan Coastal Plain, Avon Wheatbelt and Jarrah Forest bioregions of south-western 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 declinatus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ptilotus declinatus". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  3. ↑ "Ptilotus declinatus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  4. ↑ von Esenbeck, Christian G.D.; Lehmann, Johann G.C. (1845). Plantae Preissianae. Hamburg: Sumptibus Meissneri. p. 631. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  5. ↑ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 179. ISBN   9780958034180.
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