Pussy tail

[MJD]

Between walks because I only had to go outside to find them.

Here are some pictures of an unusual little plant that I hadn't seen until they started appearing on our block a couple of years ago. Called "Pussy tails", the Ptilotus spathulatus is an unusual plant, 4-5 cm high. The genus name Ptilotus means 'feathered wings'. Has anyone else seen them?

Attachments

Ptilotus spathulatus (a)

Ptilotus spathulatus (b)

[ILUVSWTAS]

Interesting!!

not the usual type I spent my youth chasing though.

[ollster]

Ah, that's the stuff you were talking about yesterday then. Very cool. I've never seen then before. Are they native (no I can't be bothered googling )?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Im pretty sure I have seen some when growing up around Lindisfarne.

[north-north-west]

There are around 200 species of Ptilotus and almost all are endemic to Australia, AFAIR.
Never seen this type, but others are very common in the centre.

[tasadam]

Never seen em either.

[stepbystep]

Usually the Alsatians deal with whole cat....

[walkinTas]

Nice find! Its not on the threatened species list, but some accounts suggest it is rare in Tasmania. Yes they are all native. (more reading) Of the hundred odd species, four or five can be found in nurseries.

[MJD]

Interesting article. They certainly aren't rare at our place. Mind you, I can't remember seeing them the first couple of years we were here.

[walkinTas]

The Taxonomy Key is an extra bonus.