Goodenia cycloptera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goodenia cycloptera |
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| Genus: |
Goodenia
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| Species: |
cycloptera
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List
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Goodenia cycloptera is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. It grows only in Australia, which means it is endemic to this country. This plant is a perennial (meaning it lives for more than two years) or annual (meaning it lives for one year) herb. It has leaves that are wavy or have small teeth. Its flowers are yellow and grow in groups called racemes. The plant also produces round-shaped fruit.
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What Does Goodenia cycloptera Look Like?
Goodenia cycloptera is a plant that grows upright or close to the ground. It can be a perennial or an annual herb. It usually reaches about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves at the bottom of the plant are shaped like an egg, but narrower at the base. They can also be shaped like a spatula. These leaves are usually 40 to 100 millimeters (about 1.5 to 4 inches) long. They are also 10 to 15 millimeters (about 0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. Their edges can be wavy or have small teeth. The leaves growing on the stem are smaller.
The flowers grow in groups called leafy racemes. These racemes can be up to 200 millimeters (about 8 inches) long. Each flower has a leaf-like part called a bract at its base. Each flower also sits on a small stalk called a pedicel, which is 15 to 50 millimeters (about 0.6 to 2 inches) long.
Petals and Fruit
The sepals, which are like small leaves protecting the flower bud, are linear or lance-shaped. They are about 2.5 to 3 millimeters (about 0.1 inches) long. The petals are yellow and are 10 to 15 millimeters (about 0.4 to 0.6 inches) long. The lower parts of the flower's petals, called the corolla, are about 4 millimeters (about 0.16 inches) long. They have small "wings" that are about 2 to 3 millimeters (about 0.08 to 0.12 inches) wide.
This plant can flower in most months of the year. After flowering, it produces fruit. The fruit is a round-shaped capsule that is about 6 to 7 millimeters (about 0.24 to 0.28 inches) across.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The plant Goodenia cycloptera was first officially described in 1849. This description was made by a botanist named Robert Brown. He included it in the Botanical Index of Charles Sturt's book, Narrative of an Expedition into Central Australia.
The second part of its scientific name, cycloptera, means "circle-winged." This name refers to the shape of the plant's seeds.
Where Does It Grow?
Goodenia cycloptera likes to grow in sandy soils. You can find it in the drier inland areas of Australia. This includes parts of:
