Ptilotus axillaris (Benth.) F.Muell.
Mat Mulla Mulla
- Reference
- Pl.North-West.Austral. 7 (1881)
- Conservation Code
- Not threatened
- Naturalised Status
- Native to Western Australia
- Name Status
- Current
Prostrate annual, herb, 0.03-0.12 m high, leaves, ovate-spathulate, 7-110 mm long, leaves 2-45 mm wide; spike ovoid-cylindrical, 15-50 mm long; spike 25-40 mm wide; bract 7.5-9 mm long; bracteole 8.5-10 mm long; tepals 17-20 mm long; fertile stamens 2, staminodes 3; ovary hairy; style curved, 3.8-5 mm long, eccentrically fixed to ovary. Fl. pink-white, Apr to Nov. Red sand. Stony hills, plains, sand dunes.
Scientific Description
Annuals, stems several, more or less prostrate, glabrescent, with nodose or verticillate hairs. Leaves present, 7-110 mm long, 2-45 mm wide, glabrescent or glabrous, with nodose or verticillate hairs; basal rosette absent; cauline leaves alternate. Spikes pink or magenta, ovoid or cylindrical, solitary, with densely arranged flowers. Bracts (4.5-)6-7 mm long, coloured, hairy, awned or mucronate, with an obscure midrib. Bracteoles (5-)6.5-6.8 mm long, colourless, glabrous or hairy, awned or mucronate, with a prominent midrib. Outer tepals (11-)13-17.5 mm long, not entire. Inner tepals (10.5-)11.5-16 mm long, glabrous within. Style 3.8-5 mm long, curved, obliquely fixed to ovary. Seeds 1.7-1.9 mm long, dull, black or brown. Distribution: Northern and Eremaean Botanical Region; IBRA regions: Carnarvon, Gascoyne, Gibbson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Pilbara, Dampierland.
Distribution
- IBRA Regions
- Carnarvon, Dampierland, Gascoyne, Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Little Sandy Desert, Pilbara.
- IBRA Subregions
- Ashburton, Augustus, Cape Range, Chichester, Fortescue, Hamersley, Lateritic Plain, Mackay, McLarty, Pindanland, Roebourne, Rudall, Trainor, Wooramel.
- IMCRA Regions
- Eighty Mile Beach, Ningaloo, Pilbara (nearshore).
- Local Government Areas (LGAs)
- Ashburton, Broome, Carnarvon, East Pilbara, Exmouth, Karratha, Ngaanyatjarraku, Port Hedland, Upper Gascoyne, Wiluna.