Ptilotus luteolus
| Ptilotus luteolus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. luteolus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus luteolus | |
Ptilotus luteolus is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to inland Western Australia. It is a shrub or perennial herb with a single hairy stem, and oval or cylindrical spikes of yellow flowers.
Description
Ptilotus luteolus is a shrub or perennial herb, the stem leaves arranged alternately, mostly 8–30 mm (0.31–1.18 in) long and 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) wide and persistently hairy. The flowers are yellow and densely arranged in oval or cylindrical spikes 14–18 mm (0.55–0.71 in) long. There are hairy, coloured bracts 3.0–3.2 mm (0.12–0.13 in) long with an obscure midrib, and colourless bracteoles 3.8–4.0 mm (0.15–0.16 in) long. The tepals are 6.2–7.0 mm (0.24–0.28 in) long and the style is straight, 2.9–3.0 mm (0.11–0.12 in) long and centrally fixed to the ovary.[2][3]
Taxonomy
This species was first formally described in 1983 by Gerhard Benl and Hansjörg Eichler who gave it the name Ptilotus astrolasius var. luteolus from specimens collected 13 km (8.1 mi) south of Meekatharra in 1957.[4][5] In 2009, Robert Wayne Davis raised the variety to species status as P. luteolus in a later edition of Nuytsia.[6][7] The specific epithet (luteolus) means 'pale yellow'.[8]
Distribution and habitat
This species of Ptilotus grows on rocky slopes, screes and ridges in the Gascoyne and Murchison bioregions of inland northern Western Australia.[7][3]
Conservation status
Ptilotus luteolus is listed as "Priority Three" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions,[3] meaning that it is poorly known and known from only a few locations but is not under imminent threat.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Ptilotus luteolus". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ Davis, Robert Wayne (2009). "Ptilotus luteolus, a new combination in Ptilotus (Amaranthaceae)". Nuytsia. 19 (2): 311–312. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ptilotus luteolus". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Ptilotus astrolasius var. luteolus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ Benl, Gerhard; Eichler, Hansjörg (1983). "Taxonomic studies on Ptilotus R.Br. (Amaranthaceae) in Western Australia". Nuytsia. 4 (3): 269–270. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Ptilotus luteolus". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ a b Davis, Robert Wayne (2009). ", Ptilotus luteolus, a new combination in Ptilotus (Amaranthaceae)". Nuytsia. 19 (2): 311–312. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- ^ George, Alex S.; Sharr, Francis A. (2023). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings - A Glossary (fifth ed.). Kardinya: Four Gables Press. p. 250. ISBN 9780645629538.
- ^ "Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna" (PDF). Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Retrieved 1 October 2025.