Pussy-tails and Pink Mulla Mulla - natives (Ptilotus species)

Family: Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family).

Natives of Eastern Australia.

Occurrence: Grassland plants, particularly on alluvial or basalt plains.

Identification:

the leaves are mostly (in the these two species) in a basal clump

the leaves are spathulate (i.e. an elongated oval with a tapering base, like a spoon)

flowers are clustered into fluffy-looking oval clusters (and hence Pussy-tail, and Lambs-tail).

The two most common species in Central Victoria are Pussy-tails (Ptilotus spathulatus) and Pink Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus exaltatus.)

Similar species: Narrow-leaf Clover Trifolium angustifolium is sometimes confused with these plants. Narrow-leaf Clover has very narrow trifoliate leaves, and the flower clusters are narrower and less soft, and the individul flowers are pea flowers.

VROTS: endangered.

Name: exaltatus: tall; spathulatus: spoonshaped.

---