Ptilotus spicatus
| Ptilotus spicatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Near Camooweal | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. spicatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus spicatus | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
List
| |
Ptilotus spicatus is a species of flowering plant in the Amaranthaceae family and is endemic to northern Australia. It is a annual or perennial herb, sometimes with several more or less erect stems, glabrous stem leaves and magenta or red flowers arranged in an oval or cylindrical spike on flowering stems.
Description
Ptilotus spicatus is a annual or perennial herb with a single or several stems 0.26–1.5 m (10 in – 4 ft 11 in) high and covered with soft hairs, at least when young. There are no leaves at the base of the plant, but the stem leaves are 5–70 mm (0.20–2.76 in) long and 0.5–5 mm (0.020–0.197 in) wide. The flowers are magenta or red and arranged in oval or cylindrical spikes on the ends of stems. The bracts are colourless or hairy, 2.7–3.5 mm (0.11–0.14 in) long with a prominent midrib, and the bracteoles are similar, 3.5–4 mm (0.14–0.16 in) long. The tepals are 5.2–6.0 mm (0.20–0.24 in) long and the style is 3.0–3.3 mm (0.12–0.13 in) long, curved or straight and fixed to the centre of the ovary. Flowering occurs from March to May or August, and the seeds are 1.3–1.5 mm (0.051–0.059 in) long and glossy brown.[2]
Taxonomy
Ptilotus spicatus was first formally described in 1870 by George Bentham in his Flora Australiensis from an unpublished description by Ferdinand von Mueller of a specimen collected near the Victoria River.[3] The specific epithet (spicatus) means 'spicatus'.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Ptilotus spicatus grows in clay or on sandstone and is widespread in the north of Western Australia,[2] the north of the Northern Territory[5] and Queensland.[6]
References
- 1 2 "Ptilotus spicatus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Ptilotus spicatus". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ↑ "Ptilotus spicatus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- ↑ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 322. ISBN 9780645629538.
- ↑ "Ptilotus spicatus". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- ↑ "Taxon - Ptilotus spicatus". Queensland Government WildNet. Retrieved 10 July 2026.