Goodenia armstrongiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goodenia armstrongiana |
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In Kakadu National Park | |
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Goodenia
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Species: |
armstrongiana
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Goodenia armstrongiana is a pretty flowering plant found in northern Australia. It's a type of herb, which means it has soft stems instead of woody ones like trees. This plant can grow upright or spread low to the ground. It has interesting leaves and produces white or yellow flowers. After flowering, it forms small, oval-shaped fruits.
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What Does Goodenia Armstrongiana Look Like?
Goodenia armstrongiana is a plant that can stand tall, up to about 60 centimeters (2 feet), or spread out low on the ground. Its leaves are shaped like eggs or are long and narrow. They are usually between 1 and 4 centimeters long and 2 to 12 millimeters wide. Sometimes, these leaves have tiny teeth along their edges and are a bit hairy, especially on the sides.
The flowers grow in long clusters called racemes, which can be up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) long. Each flower sits on a small stalk called a pedicel, about 1 to 3 centimeters long. At the bottom of each flower stalk, there are small, leaf-like parts called bracts.
The green parts that protect the flower bud, called sepals, are shaped like tiny spears and are 1 to 2 millimeters long. The main part of the flower, called the corolla, is either white or yellow and measures 8 to 12 millimeters long. It feels a bit hairy inside. The lower parts of the corolla are 3 to 4 millimeters long and have small, flat "wings" that are about 1.5 to 2 millimeters wide.
This plant mostly blooms from January to July. After the flowers fade, they turn into small, oval-shaped fruits called capsules, which are 4 to 6 millimeters long.
How Did it Get Its Name?
The plant Goodenia armstrongiana was officially named in 1854 by a scientist named Willem Hendrik de Vriese. He wrote about it in a science journal.
The second part of its name, armstrongiana, was chosen to honor a person named John Armstrong. He was the one who collected the very first plant samples of this species that scientists used to describe it. These first samples are called the "type material."
Where Does it Grow?
This type of goodenia plant likes to grow in open forests, known as woodland, and in grassy areas with scattered trees, called savanna. You can find it in the Arnhem Land region and the Victoria River district in the Northern Territory of Australia. It also grows in north Queensland and even in New Guinea.
Keeping it Safe
Good news! Goodenia armstrongiana is currently considered to be of "least concern" when it comes to its safety. This means it's not in danger of disappearing.
This status is given by the Queensland Government under their Nature Conservation Act 1992 and by the Northern Territory Government under their Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976]. These acts are laws that help protect plants and animals in those areas.