Scientific Name: Ptilotus spathulatus

Common Name: pussytails

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Amaranthaceae

Form Description: Perennial herb, spreading prostrate stems.

Flowers: Vertical from ground, fluffy spikes 3-7cm long, covered with long straight hairs, green/yellow.

Fruit: 2-3cm long, fluffy seed heads, lose green tinge and turn off-white; small utricle enclosed in rounded end of fruit.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonCentral HighlandsClarenceDerwent ValleyFlindersGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern Midlands
Plant Communities
Grassland
Habitat Notes

Occasional in dry grassy places.

Site Tolerance

Dry

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Can be difficult to collect seed as it ripens unevenly on each head. Utricle releases easily from seed head when ripe. Variable germination.

Seed Storage Life

Short

Seed Treatment Notes

Grown from seed, but low seed viability. Viable seed usually germinates easily without treatment. Fresh seed recommended.

Germination Time

2-4 weeks