Ptilotus obovatus (Cotton Bush)

Cotton bush is a variable, dense, silver grey-green shrub that rarely grows taller than 70 cm. Shrubs commonly have multiple stems originating at ground level. Individual leaves are oval and about 2 cm long by 1cm wide with short stems. A dense felty covering of fine hairs gives the leaves and branchlets their silver appearance. It generally flowers in September and October. The flowers are up to 2 cm in diameter. The flower stalks are retained long after the flower clusters detach and this feature can help to distinguish cotton bush from other plants with a similar leaf-shape and structure. Occurs throughout arid Australia. Populations fluctuate considerably and responsively to seasonal change.