The only pussytails that I like to see out in the outback are those that are on our native plants, and not those on the end of a fluffy feral cat, which we all know have devastated many of our smaller marsupial animals, birds and reptiles.
Mulla Mulls, Foxtails and pussytails belong to the genus Ptilotus, a name which means feathered and is a reference to the feathery flowers which are similar to those of Gomphrena Alternmanthera and Aerva from the same family.
Ptilotus flowers are bisexual with 5 narrow perianth segments called sepals or tepals. Long silky hairs on the tepals and on shorter, broader bracts surrounding them create the feathery appearance. The 5 stamens are usually unequal, with sometimes a few absent or incomplete and are joined at their bases into a ring or cups.
Plants range from small slender annuals to robust perennials a metre or more high and wide. The inflorescence is variable from small few flowered clusters to conspicuous dense globular ovoid or conical cylindrical spikes. Leaves vary from glabrous to densely woolly and from filamentous to large and fleshy.
Ptilotus are indigenous to Australia except for 1 species that extends to Malaysia. The genus comprises over 80 species which are mostly confined to the drier parts of our country. Owing to their often ephemeral nature, frequent confusion between species and the absence of a comprehensive review of the genus, the range of most species are not reliably known.
Now we all know we have many great travellers here from the
forum, so go through your photos and show others that read this
forum post what images you have of Mulla Mullas and where the images were taken. You never know, ExplorOz may help in defining the range of where certain species are found.
Don’t be bashful, they are a very pretty plant and show the world what you have taken. The images that you now see have been taken from many location in Outback Australia and if I have miss named a plant, I know that my good friend Val will soon point me in the right direction.
Cheers to you All
Stephen
Image Could Not Be Found
No 1. This Silvertail picture was taken south of Parallel No 2 Road while walking to a degree confluence.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 2. The images of these Large Green Pussytails were taken near the start of the Connie Sue Highway.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 3. As per image 2, top end of the Connie Sue.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 4. Like images 2 and 3, the Large Green Pussytails were covering acres of land and was a real sight to see.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 5. This image of a Tall Mulla Mulla was seen in just one small location in the lower section of the Connie Sue Highway.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 6. Like the image of No 5, we only found the Tall Mulla Mullas in one small location and they sure made a very eye catching display.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 7. Like No 6, the Tall Mulla Mulla very just perfect.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 8. Tall Mulla Mull on the top section of
Googs Track.
Image Could Not Be Found
No 9. As for No 8, Tall Mulla Mulla on
Googs Track.