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
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. The leaves on the stems are lance-shaped, with the narrower end towards the base, long and wide, and hairy mostly on the midrib and edges. There are egg-shaped or sickle-shaped, reddish brown bracts long and lance-shaped to narrowly egg-shaped bracteoles long with reddish-brown strip along the midrib. The flowers are borne in a green or white, oval spike, the outer tepals long, the inner tepals narrowly lance-shaped, long. There are 5 fertile stamens, the style is curved, long and fixed to the side of the ovary.
Taxonomy
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. The specific epithet means 'sickle-shaped', referring to the floral bracts of this species.
Distribution
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.
Conservation status
Ptilotus falcatus 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.