Pink Mulla-mulla
Ptilotus exaltatus
Prostrate herb with deep taproot. Broad lance-shaped leaves at the base with smaller stalkless stem leaves. Showy spikes of cylindrical pinkish to mauve flowers.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Herbs |
| Other Common Names | Lamb-tails |
| Distinctive Features | Stems woolly on new growth. |
| Biology | Perennial with deep tap root. Ptilotus exaltatus var. exultatus is common in the Riverina. |
| Native Status | Native |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus | Ptilotus |
| Species | exaltatus |
From the Greek ptilotos = feathery, referring to the fluffy flowerheads.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Two varieties - var. exaltatus has fleshy oval leaves and a tall flowering stem and occurs in the mallee, and var. semilanatus has short flowerstems < 5 cm and longer leaves and does not occur in the mallee. |
| Native Status | Native |