Ptilotus humilis
| Ptilotus humilis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. humilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus humilis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Ptilotus humilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a prostrate to low-lying annual herb with several stems, oblong to spatula-shaped leaves and oval or cylindrical spikes of green, white or pink flowers.
Description
Ptilotus humilis is a prostrate to low-lying annual herb, that typically grows to a height of 10–60 cm (3.9–23.6 in), its stems and leaves covered with soft hairs, later glabrous. Its leaves are oblong to spatula-shaped, mostly 3–70 mm (0.12–2.76 in) long and 1–12 mm (0.039–0.472 in) wide. The flowers are arranged in oval or cylindrical spikes with colourless, glabrous bracts 3.7–5.5 mm (0.15–0.22 in) long and similar bracteoles 3.7–5.2 mm (0.15–0.20 in) long. The outer tepals are 5.0–7.5 mm (0.20–0.30 in) long and the inner tepals 5.0–7.7 mm (0.20–0.30 in) long with a tuft of hairs on the inner surface. The style is 0.4 mm (0.016 in) long and centrally fixed to the ovary. Flowering occurs from September to November.[2]
Taxonomy
This species was first formally described in 1845 by Nees von Esenbeck who gave it the name Trichinium humile in Lehmann's Plantae Preissianae from specimens collected near York in 1839.[3][4]
In 1868, Ferdinand von Mueller transferred the species to Ptilotus as P. humilis in his Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Ptilotus humilis grows in sandy soils, often over granite, in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Mallee and Swan Coastal Plain bioregions of south-western Western Australia.[2]
Conservation status
Ptilotus humilis is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Ptilotus holosericeus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ptilotus humilis". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Trichinium humile". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ von Esenbeck, Christian G.D.N. (1845). Lehmann, Johann G.C. (ed.). Plantae preissianae sive enumeratio plantarum quas in australasia occidentali et meridionali-occidentali annis 1838-1841 collegit Ludovicus Preiss. Vol. 1. Hamburg: Sumptibus Meissneri. p. 628. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus humilis". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 9 August 2025.