Ptilotus falcatus
| Ptilotus falcatus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. falcatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus falcatus | |
Ptilotus falcatus is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a prostrate to ascending perennial herb with annual stems from a woody rootstock, lance-shaped stem leaves with the narrower end towards the base, and single green or white, oval spikes of flowers.
Description
[edit]Ptilotus falcatus is a prostrate to ascending perennial herb with annual stems from a woody rootstock and that typically grows to a height of up to 10 cm (3.9 in). The leaves on the stems are lance-shaped, with the narrower end towards the base, 28–45 mm (1.1–1.8 in) long and 1–4 mm (0.039–0.157 in) wide, and hairy mostly on the midrib and edges. There are egg-shaped or sickle-shaped, reddish brown bracts 8.9–10.0 mm (0.35–0.39 in) long and lance-shaped to narrowly egg-shaped bracteoles 8.5–9.1 mm (0.33–0.36 in) long with reddish-brown strip along the midrib. The flowers are borne in a green or white, oval spike, the outer tepals 18–20 mm (0.71–0.79 in) long, the inner tepals narrowly lance-shaped, 17–19 mm (0.67–0.75 in) long. There are 5 fertile stamens, the style is curved, 2.5–2.8 mm (0.098–0.110 in) long and fixed to the side of the ovary.[2][3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Ptilotus falcatus was first formally described in 2014 by Robert Wayne Davis and Timothy Hammer in the journal Nuytsia from specimens collected near Warradarge in 2011.[2][4] The specific epithet (falcatus) means 'sickle-shaped', referring to the floral bracts of this species.[5]
Distribution
[edit]This species of Ptilotus is only known from one small population on private property near Warradarge growing in low heath on a north-east facing slope in the Geraldton Sandplains bioregion of Western Australia.[3]
Conservation status
[edit]Ptilotus falcatus is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations where it is potentially at risk.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ptilotus falcatus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ a b Davis, Robert Wayne; Hammer, Timothy A.; Thiele, Kevin R. (2014). "Two new and rare species of Ptilotus (Amaranthaceae) from the Eneabba sandplains, Western Australia". Nuytsia. 24: 127–128. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ptilotus falcatus". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Ptilotus falcatus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 201. ISBN 9780645629538.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 2 July 2025.