Goodenia fordiana facts for kids

Goodenia fordiana is a special kind of flowering plant that belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. It only grows in a specific part of north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. This plant is a low-growing herb, meaning it doesn't have a woody stem like a tree or bush. It has a bunch of leaves at its base, forming a circle, and pretty yellow flowers that grow near the ends of its leafy stems.

What it Looks Like

Goodenia fordiana is a plant that grows low to the ground. Its main stem can reach up to about 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) tall. At the bottom of the plant, there's a group of leaves arranged in a circle, like a rosette.

The leaves are shaped like an oval, usually between 10 and 25 millimeters (about 0.4 to 1 inch) long and 8 to 14 millimeters (about 0.3 to 0.5 inches) wide. They narrow down quickly into a leaf stalk, called a petiole, which can be 10 to 30 millimeters (about 0.4 to 1.2 inches) long.

The Flowers

The flowers of Goodenia fordiana grow in groups near the ends of leafy stalks. These stalks can be up to 200 millimeters (about 8 inches) long. Each flower sits on its own small stem, called a pedicel, which can be up to 35 millimeters (about 1.4 inches) long. Near the flowers, there are tiny leaf-like parts called bracteoles, which are about 2 millimeters long.

The green parts that protect the flower bud, called sepals, are about 2.5 millimeters long. The bright yellow petals, which form the main part of the flower, are called the corolla and are usually 8 to 10 millimeters long. The lower parts of the corolla are about 3.5 millimeters long and have thin, flat edges called wings, which are about 2 millimeters wide. You can see these yellow flowers blooming from October to December.

How it Got its Name

Goodenia fordiana was first officially described in 1990 by a scientist named Roger Charles Carolin. He wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. The plant was named after Neridah Ford, who helped Carolin notice this special species. The "fordiana" part of its name is a way to honor her. The plant was first found near a place called Coramba in 1913.

Where it Grows

This type of goodenia plant likes to grow in forests and woodlands. You can find it in the lower mountain ranges of New South Wales. Its home stretches between the Coffs Harbour area and a town called Bulahdelah.