Ptilotus carlsonii
Ptilotus carlsonii is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to inland Western Australia. It is an erect or spreading annual herb with hairy leaves and oval or hemispherical spikes of yellow or orange flowers.
Description
Ptilotus carlsonii is an erect or spreading annual herb that typically grows to high with several more or less prostrate, hairy stems. Its leaves are arranged alternately, long and wide. The flowers are densely arranged in oval or hemispherical, yellow or orange spikes. The bracts are long and the bracteoles long, coloured, hairy and awned. The outer tepals are long, the inner tepals long. The style is long, curved and obliquely fixed to the ovary. Flowering occurs from August to October.
Taxonomy
Ptilotus carlsonii was first formally described in 1888 by Ferdinand von Mueller in The Victorian Naturalist from specimens collected by W. Sayer and A. Carlson. The etymology of was not specified, but presumably honoured one of the collectors of the type material.
Distribution
Ptilotus carlsonii grows on clay soils on plains in the Avon Wheatbelt, Coolgardie, Murchison and Nullarbor bioregions of inland Western Australia.
Conservation status
This species of Ptilotus is listed as "not threatened" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.