Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus - Cotton-bush

Click image to enlarge

Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus - Cotton-bush

I came across this species 140 km (85 miles) NE of Esperance, which considering its most southerly record is nearly 200 km west of Kalgoorlie and about 460 km (285 miles) NW of the above encounter, can be a little disturbing to collectors. These large discrepancies are not unusual in this part of the country, as vast areas are rarely if ever visited with only a few widely spaced 4WD tracks, so there would be many plants awaiting discovery.

Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus was quite common on a large plain where shallow loams overlie granite or limestone, thereby restricting the size of the plants able to survive in this hot and low rainfall habitat, consequently any trees are small, few and far between. A fire had passed through the area 2-3 years before making conditions ideal for plant growth, which at other times may have limited the number of species present.

This plant is also known as the Smoke Bush or Silver-tails and besides WA occurs in the inland of NT, SA, NSW and Qld. There is another variety (var. griseus), but in WA it is only recorded centrally near the SA boarder and has pink flowers. Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus grows to around a metre (3’) in height and generally forms a compact rounded shrub; the foliage and stems are densely covered in small-branched hairs, which is an important identification feature.

In WA flowering is recorded from June to December, but there would be some variation to this depending on location and rainfall.

Ptilotus spathulatus forma spathulatus – Pussy-tails

Click image to enlarge

Ptilotus spathulatus forma spathulatus – Pussy-tails

The Ptilotus genus belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, but this group has been extensively reclassified with most species previously placed in the Trichinium genus and the Amarantaceae family. Plants in Ptilotus have terminal clusters of bisexual flowers and alternating leaves, which collectively separates them from other Amaranthaceae members, plus the larger and often colourful flowers make them the most ornamental.

The often elongated flower spikes have encouraged common names like Pussy-tails, Lamb-tails, Long-tails, etc, whilst plants with shorter spikes are frequently referred to as Mulla Mullas. Most occur in the warmer parts of Australia, especially inland, but several are also found in the Esperance district. Ptilotus spathulatus forma spathulatus can be encountered from the SW portion of the Nullarbor to Albany and north to the Geraldton district. However there is another form or variety (forma angustatus) that also occurs in the Esperance region, but is not as common or widespread.

The two forms of Ptilotus spathulatus differ from each other, by forma spathulatus having flower spikes greater than 2 cm (3/4”) diameter and the tips of the flowers barely projecting beyond the floral hairs. The flower spikes of forma angustatus are less than 2 cm diameter and the flower tips are longer than the floral hairs. Both forms have creamy/green flower spikes.

Ptilotus spathulatus forma spathulatus prefers sandy soils over granite, limestone or gravel, forma angustatus is more common on heavier clay loams. The species name of spathulatus refers to the spoon shaped leaves and the flowering time depends on rainfall/weather conditions, so can be anytime from August to November.