Family: Amaranthaceae
Ptilotus beckerianus
Citation:
F. Muell. ex J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 326 (1948).
Synonymy: Trichinium beckerianum F. Muell., Linnaea 25:436 (1853); P. beckeri F. Muell., Fragm. Phyt. Aust. 6:233 (1868), nom. nud.
, Ptilotus beckeranus Common name: None
Description:
Glabrous perennial with erect to arcuate mostly simple stems 10-25 cm tall; radical leaves (up to 20) clustered, ranging in shape from lanceolate to obovate-spathulate, petiolate, 1.5-4.5 cm X 3-12 mm; stem leaves fewer, smaller, in part reduced to scales of 5-8 X 2-4 mm.
Spikes initially hemispherical, later ovoid or cylindrically elongated to 9.5 cm, with 20-40 flowers; bract and bracteoles subequal, to c. 12 x 8 mm, amber to golden-yellow, lustrous; perianth to 2.4 cm long; perianth-segments plumose, with dorsal spreading hairs never exceeding the obtuse dentate to denticulate apex (up to 4 mm long), inner segments with basal crisp hairs; perfect stamens 4, cup c. 1 mm high, adnate to the turbinate perianth tube, with a narrow free ring and interstaminal fringed lobes; ovary c. 4 x 2 mm, subclavate, the hairy style to c. 2 cm long, sigmoid, more or less lateral.
| Ptilotus beckerianus perianth-segments, plant and staminal cup.
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Image source: fig 184b in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Distribution:
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Rare.
S.Aust.: EP, KI.
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Conservation status:
native
Flowering time: Aug. — Jan.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Author:
Not yet available
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