Ptilotus capitatus
| Ptilotus capitatus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. capitatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus capitatus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ptilotus capitatus is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to north-western Australia. It is an erect or spreading perennial herb or shrub with lance-shaped stem leaves and spikes of white or brown flowers.
Description
Ptilotus capitatus is an erect or spreading perennial herb or shrub that typically grows to 0.25–1 m (9.8 in – 3 ft 3.4 in) high. There are no leaves at the base of the plant, but the stems have lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately, 8–70 mm (0.31–2.76 in) long and 2–26 mm (0.079–1.024 in) wide. The flowers are white or brown and densely arranged in oval or cylindrical spikes. The bracts are 4.0–4.8 mm (0.16–0.19 in) long and the bracteoles are 4.4–5.2 mm (0.17–0.20 in) long, colourless, glabrous and awned. The outer tepals are 4.8–5.7 mm (0.19–0.22 in) long and the inner tepals are 4.5–5.3 mm (0.18–0.21 in) long. The style is 1.5–2.0 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long and fixed to the centre of the ovary. Flowering occurs from April to September.[2]
Taxonomy
This species was first formally described in 1859 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Psilotrichum capitatum in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[3][4] In 1930, Charles Gardner transferred the species to Ptilotus as P. capitatus.[5] The specific epithet (capitatus) means 'capitate'.[6]
Distribution
Ptilotus capitatus grows on sandy or clay soils in rocky places in the Central Kimberley, Dampierland, Northern Kimberley, Ord Victoria Plain and Victoria Bonaparte bioregions of northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[2][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 "data deficient" under the Northern Territory Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Ptilotus capitatus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ptilotus capitatus". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Psilotrichum capitatum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ von Mueller, Ferdinand (1868). Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. Vol. 1. Melbourne: Victorian Government Printer. p. 238. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus capitatus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 157. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ a b "Ptilotus capitatus". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 3 March 2025.