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Flowers not open photo by Rich Weatherill
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Full flower photo by Rich Weatherill
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No flower photo by Rich Weatherill
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No flower photo by Rich Weatherill
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Full flowering by Bill & Mark Bell
Purple Mulla Mulla
Ptilotus exaltatus
Appearance
- Erect annual herb.
- Size: up to 1.2 m high.
- Leaves: Basal rosette of spatula shaped leaves up to 10cm long.
- Flowers: Pink/purple flower spikes are up to 10 cm long and 4 cm across with loosely-hairy flowers.
What to Observe
- First fully open single flower
- Full flowering (record all days)
- End of flowering (when 95% of the flowers have faded)
- Not flowering
ClimateWatch Science Advisor
We expect plants to start shooting and flowering earlier in the year as a result of climate change warming the Earth. They may also start appearing in new areas, as warmer temperatures enable them to live in environments that were previously too cold for them.
When To Look
- April to November
Where To Look
- Widespread in inland New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.
- Found in dry, well drained soil.
Purple Mulla Mulla distribution map - Australian Native Plants Society
Where To Look
Maps of Habitat Suitability
| Current probability of occurrence |
2070 probability of occurrence (RCP 8.5) |
Species range change from current to 2070 probability |
Above, the left and middle maps show the modelled habitat suitability for the the species under current and potential future climate conditions. The colours indicate the predicted habitat suitability from low (white) to high (dark red).
The future habitat suitability is modelled for the year 2070 under a climate change scenario that represents 'business as usual' (RCP 8.5). The map on the right shows how the range of the species might change between now and 2070, with orange areas indicating where the species might disappear, green areas where the species range might expand, and blue areas where the habitat is predicted to be suitable for the species now and in the future.
The models for this species were run in the Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory. Please note that while models can be very informative, they are only a representation of the real world and thus should always be viewed with caution. You can read more about the science behind these models here.
Sightings
References
Napier J & van Leeuwen S. 2008. Common Plants of the Pilbara. Department of Environment and Conservation.
Woodley M et al. Wangalili Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma Plants. Juluwaru Aboriginal Corporation.
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Search Species
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What Else?
It is a distinctive species and unlikely to be confused for any other.
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Did You Know?
It is one of the largest Mulla Mulla's.