List of Ptilotus species facts for kids

Welcome to the world of Ptilotus, a fascinating group of flowering plants! These plants are often called Mulla Mulla or Foxtails because of their unique, fluffy flower heads. Most Ptilotus species are found in the dry, arid parts of Australia, but a few can also be seen in Tasmania and even in Malesia.

Discovering Ptilotus Plants

Ptilotus plants belong to the Amaranth family, which includes many well-known plants. They are known for their beautiful, often colorful, flower spikes that can look like soft brushes or feathery tails. These plants are very tough and have adapted to survive in harsh, dry environments.

Where Do Ptilotus Grow?

Most of these amazing plants are native to Australia. They thrive in places with little rainfall, like deserts and semi-desert areas. Their ability to grow in such tough conditions makes them truly special. While most are found on the mainland, one species also grows in Tasmania, and another can be found in Malesia, a region in Southeast Asia.

What Makes Ptilotus Special?

Ptilotus plants are admired for their striking appearance. Their flowers come in many colors, including pink, purple, white, and yellow. These vibrant blooms often stand out against the dry landscapes where they grow. They are also important for local wildlife, providing food and habitat in their native environments.

A List of Ptilotus Species

Scientists have identified many different types of Ptilotus plants. Each one has its own unique features, but they all share the common characteristics of this hardy genus. Here is a list of the currently recognized species:

• Ptilotus actinocladus T.Hammer & R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus aervoides (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus albidus (C.A.Gardner) Benl
• Ptilotus alexandri Benl
• Ptilotus andersonii R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus angustifolius (Benl) T.Hammer
• Ptilotus aphyllus Benl
• Ptilotus appendiculatus Benl
• Ptilotus aristatus Benl
• Ptilotus arthrolasius F.Muell.
• Ptilotus astrolasius F.Muell.
• Ptilotus auriculifolius (Moq.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus axillaris (Benth.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus barkeri Benl
• Ptilotus beardii Benl
• Ptilotus beckerianus (F.Muell.) F.Muell. ex J.M.Black
• Ptilotus blackii Benl
• Ptilotus brachyanthus (Benth.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus caespitulosus F.Muell. (Salt Lake Mulla-Mulla)
• Ptilotus calostachyus (F.Muell.) F.Muell. (Weeping Mulla Mulla )
• Ptilotus capensis (Benl) A.R.Bean
• Ptilotus capitatus (F.Muell.) C.A.Gardner
• Ptilotus carinatus Benl
• Ptilotus carlsonii F.Muell.
• Ptilotus chamaecladus Diels
• Ptilotus chippendalei Benl
• Ptilotus chortophytus (Diels) Schinz
• Ptilotus chrysocomus R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus clementii (Farmar) Benl (Tassel Top)
• Ptilotus clivicola R.W.Davis & T.Hammer
• Ptilotus comatus Benl
• Ptilotus conicus R.Br.
• Ptilotus corymbosus R.Br.
• Ptilotus crispus Benl
• Ptilotus crosslandii (F.Muell.) Benl
• Ptilotus daphne Lally
• Ptilotus decalvatus Benl
• Ptilotus decipiens (Benth.) C.A.Gardner ex A.W.Hill
• Ptilotus declinatus Nees (Curved Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus disparilis Lally
• Ptilotus dissitiflorus (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus distans (R.Br.) Poir.
• Ptilotus divaricatus (Gaudich.) F.Muell. (Climbing Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus drummondii (Moq.) F.Muell. (Narrowleaf Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus eremita T.Hammer & R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus eriotrichus (Ewart & J.White) P.S.Short
• Ptilotus erubescens Schltdl.
• Ptilotus esquamatus (Benth.) F.Muell
• Ptilotus exaltatus Nees (Tall Mulla Mulla, Showy Foxtail)
• Ptilotus exiliflorus R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus extenuatus Benl
• Ptilotus falcatus R.W.Davis & T.Hammer
• Ptilotus fasciculatus W.Fitzg.
• Ptilotus fusiformis (R.Br.) Poir.
• Ptilotus gardneri Benl
• Ptilotus gaudichaudii (Steud.) J.M.Black
• Ptilotus giganteus (A.Cunn. ex Moq.) R.W.Davis & R.Butcher
• Ptilotus gomphrenoides F. Muell. ex Benth.
• Ptilotus grandiflorus F.Muell.
• Ptilotus halophilus R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus helichrysoides (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus helipteroides (F.Muell.) F.Muell. (Hairy Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus holosericeus (Moq.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus humilis (Nees) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus incanus (R.Br.) Poir.
• Ptilotus indivisus Benl
• Ptilotus johnstonianus W.Fitzg.
• Ptilotus kenneallyanus Benl
• Ptilotus lanatus Moq.
• Ptilotus latifolius R.Br. (Tangled Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus lazaridis Benl
• Ptilotus leucocoma (Moq.) F.Muell. ( Small Purple Foxtail)
• Ptilotus lophotrichus Benl
• Ptilotus luteolus (Benl & H.Eichler) R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus maconochiei Benl
• Ptilotus macrocephalus (R.Br.) Poir. (Green Pussytails, Featherheads)
• Ptilotus manglesii (Lindl.) F.Muell (Pom Poms)
• Ptilotus marduguru Benl
• Ptilotus mitchellii Benl
• Ptilotus modestus T.Hammer
• Ptilotus mollis Benl
• Ptilotus murrayi F.Muell.
• Ptilotus nobilis (Lindl.) F.Muell. (Yellowtails, Regal Foxtail)
• Ptilotus obovatus (Gaudich.) F.Muell. (Smoke Bush, Cotton Bush)
• Ptilotus parvifolius (F.Muell.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus pedleyanus Benl & H.Eichler
• Ptilotus polakii F.Muell.
• Ptilotus polystachyus (Gaudich.) F.Muell. (Prince of Wales Feather)
• Ptilotus procumbens Benl
• Ptilotus propinquus Lally
• Ptilotus pseudohelipteroides Benl
• Ptilotus psilorhachis T.Hammer & R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus pyramidatus (Moq.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus remotiflorus Benl
• Ptilotus rigidus Lally
• Ptilotus robynsianus Benl
• Ptilotus roei (Benth.) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus rotundatus Benl
• Ptilotus rotundifolius (F.Muell.) F.Muell. (Royal Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus royceanus Benl
• Ptilotus schwartzii Tate
• Ptilotus semilanatus (Lindl.) J.M.Black
• Ptilotus seminudus (J.M.Black) J.M.Black
• Ptilotus senarius A.R.Bean
• Ptilotus sericostachyus (Nees) F.Muell.
• Ptilotus sessilifolius (Lindl.) Benl
• Ptilotus spathulatus (R.Br.) Poir. (Pussy Tails)
• Ptilotus spicatus Benth.
• Ptilotus stirlingii (Lindl.) F.Muell. (Stirling's Mulla Mulla)
• Ptilotus subspinescens R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus symonii Benl
• Ptilotus tetrandrus Benl
• Ptilotus trichocephalus Benl
• Ptilotus unguiculatus T.Hammer
• Ptilotus villosiflorus F.Muell.
• Ptilotus whitei (J.M.Black) Lally
• Ptilotus wilsonii Benl
• Ptilotus xerophilus T.Hammer & R.W.Davis
• Ptilotus yapukaratja R.W.Davis & T.Hammer