Ptilotus drummondii
| Ptilotus drummondii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. drummondii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus drummondii | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ptilotus drummondii, commonly known as narrowleaf mulla mulla[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a perennial herb with linear leaves and oval clusters of pink flowers that rapidly fade to yellowish-white.
Description
Ptilotus drummondii is a perennial herb that typically grows to a height of 0.5–80 cm (0.20–31.50 in) and has several stems, sometimes more or less prostrate. Its leaves on the stem and at the base of the plant are linear, 8–35 mm (0.31–1.38 in) long and 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide. The flowers are borne in oval or spherical clusters of densely arranged pink flowers that rapidly fade to yellowish-white. The bracts are mostly 4.6–5.5 mm (0.18–0.22 in) long and the bracteoles 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long at the base. The outer tepals are 8.0–9.6 mm (0.31–0.38 in) long and the inner tepals are 7.6–9.1 mm (0.30–0.36 in) long with a tuft of hairs on the inner surface. The style is 2.0–2.7 mm (0.079–0.106 in) long. Flowering occurs from March to May and from July to December.[2][3]
Taxonomy
This species was first described in 1849 by Alfred Moquin-Tandon who gave it the name Trichinium drummondii in de Candolle's Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis.[4][5] In 1868, Ferdinand von Mueller transferred the species to Ptilotus as P. drummondii in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[6][7]
Four varieties are accepted by the Australian Plant Census:
- Ptilotus drummondii (Moq.) F.Muell. var. drummondii[8]
- Ptilotus drummondii var. elongatus Benl[9]
- Ptilotus drummondii var. minor (Nees) Benl[10]
- Ptilotus drummondii var. scaposus Benl[11]
The specific epithet (drummondii) honours James Drummond.[12]
Distribution and habitat
Ptilotus drummondii grows in a range of soils on low ridges, undulating plains and near rivers and is widely distributed in the Avon Wheatbelt, Carnarvon, Central Ranges, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Gascoyne, Geraldton Sandplains, Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Great Victoria Desert, Jarrah Forest, Little Sandy Desert, Mallee, Murchison, Nullarbor, Pilbara, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren and Yalgoo bioregions of Western Australia.[2]
Conservation status
Ptilotus drummondii is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Ptilotus drummondii". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Ptilotus drummondii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ Corrick, Margaret G.; Fuhrer, Bruce A. (2009). Wildflowers of Southern Western Australia. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 9781877058844.
- ^ "Trichinium drummondii". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ Moquin-Tandon, Christian H. B. A.; de Candolle, Augustin P. (1849). Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis. Vol. 13. Paris: Sumptibus Sociorum Treuttel et Würtz. p. 292. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus drummondii". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ Mueller, F.J.H. von (1868). "Amarantaceae". Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. 6 (49): 229.
- ^ "Ptilotus drummondii var. drummondii". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus drummondii var. elongatus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus drummondii var. minor". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus drummondii var. scaposus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ George, A.S; Sharr, F.A (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and their meanings (4th ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables. p. 187. ISBN 9780958034197.