Ptilotus crinitus
Ptilotus crinitus, commonly known as long-haired mulla mulla, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to the Northern Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is a rounded, ascending perennial herb or subshrub with narrowly lance-shaped or narrowly elliptic leaves, and spikes of greenish flowers with a pink tinge and three stamens.
Description
Ptilotus crinitus is a rounded, ascending perennial herb or subshrub that typically grows up to high, and has mostly glabrous stems and leaves. The leaves are narrowly lance-shaped to narrowly elliptic, long and wide. The flowers are greenish with a pink tinge and borne in spikes of more than ten flowers, the spikes long. There are narrowly lance-shaped bracts long, and straw-coloured bracteoles with a prominent mid-rib. The outer sepals are long and tinged with pale pink, the inner sepals long and hairy on the lower surface. There are three stamens, the style is curved, long and the ovary long, wide and covered with silky hairs. Flowering has been observed in February and probably occurs between January and April.
Taxonomy
Ptilotus crinitus was first formally described in 2021 by Robert Davis and Timothy [Andrew Hammer] in the journal Swainsona from specimens collected in the Northern Kimberley region in 2008. The specific epithet means 'long-haired', referring to hairs on the lower surface of the sepals.
Distribution and habitat
This species of Ptilotus is only known from the type location where it grows on shallow sand near a beach in woodland with a grassy understorey.
Conservation status
Ptilotus crinitus is listed as "Priority One" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, meaning that it is known from only one or a few locations where it is potentially at risk.