Black's goodenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black's goodenia |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Black's goodenia in Scott Creek Conservation Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Goodenia
|
| Species: |
blackiana
|
Goodenia blackiana, often called Black's goodenia, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. This plant is special because it grows only in southern Australia. It's a herb, which means it has soft stems, not woody ones like a tree. It has leaves shaped like eggs or spears, and its flowers are yellow and grow in clusters.
Contents
What is Black's Goodenia?
Black's goodenia is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It usually grows low to the ground, reaching about 20 centimeters (8 inches) tall. Its stems can also be up to 20 centimeters long.
How to Spot Black's Goodenia
Most of the leaves grow at the bottom of the plant. They are shaped like eggs or spears, wider at one end and narrower at the other. These leaves are about 2 to 6 centimeters (1 to 2.5 inches) long and 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters (0.2 to 0.6 inches) wide. The underside of the leaves feels soft because it's covered in cotton-like hairs.
The bright yellow flowers grow in groups called racemes, which can be up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) long. Sometimes, a single flower grows where a leaf meets the stem. Each flower sits on a stalk about 3 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) long. At the base of each flower stalk, there are small, thin leaf-like parts called bracteoles, about 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long.
The green parts that protect the flower bud, called sepals, are narrow and egg-shaped, about 4 to 5 millimeters long. The yellow petals are about 13 to 14 millimeters long. The lower parts of the flower petals are about 5 to 6 millimeters long and have small "wings" about 2 millimeters wide.
When Does Black's Goodenia Bloom?
Black's goodenia usually blooms from September to January. After flowering, it produces a fruit that looks like a small cylinder, about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long. This fruit is called a capsule and holds the seeds.
Who Named Black's Goodenia?
The plant was officially named Goodenia blackiana in 1992. It was named by a botanist named Roger Charles Carolin. He described it in a book series called Flora of Australia. The first plant samples used to describe it were collected in 1953 from the Grampians National Park in Victoria.
Where Does Black's Goodenia Grow?
You can find Black's goodenia in different areas across southern Australia. It grows in mallee areas (which are dry lands with many small eucalyptus trees), woodlands, and grasslands. It is found in scattered spots in western and northern Victoria and in the southeastern part of South Australia.
