Fauna
Flower

Pink Mulla Mulla

Ptilotus exaltatus

Also known as Tall Mulla Mulla, Large Pink Pussy-tails, Lambs Tail, Showy Foxtail

Pink mulla mulla transforms vast stretches of the Australian outback into vibrant fields of magenta following sporadic desert rains. Its cylindrical, bottle-brush flower heads are densely coated in silky, feathery hairs that protect delicate reproductive organs from harsh sun and desiccating winds. As seeds mature, these lightweight plumed bracts act as parachutes, allowing gusts across arid floodplains and claypans to disperse them far and wide.

Desert FloraWildflowerDrought Tolerant
Pink Mulla Mulla reference1 / 7
(c) T. Hammer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by T. Hammer · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Red Kangaroo
  • Feral Goat
  • Camel
ThreatsOvergrazing by feral herbivores, altered fire regimes, and invasive weeds
HabitatsArid shrublands, claypans, stony plains, and sandy deserts
Life span1–3 years
Classification
  1. OrderCaryophyllales
  2. FamilyAmaranthaceae
  3. GenusPtilotus
  4. SpeciesPtilotus exaltatus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Best Viewing: Search sandy or stony desert flats in mid-to-late winter through spring after rainfall.
  • Tread Lightly: Stick to established tracks to avoid crushing fragile biological soil crusts.
  • Photography: Capture backlighting in early morning or late afternoon to highlight the silky hairs.
Related species
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