Goodenia gibbosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goodenia gibbosa |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| In the MacDonnell Ranges | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Goodenia
|
| Species: |
gibbosa
|
Goodenia gibbosa is a special type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. This plant is found only in central Australia, meaning it is endemic to that area.
It's a small, low-growing herb that often spreads out. It has soft hairs all over its body. You can spot it by its yellow flowers and leaves shaped like ovals or spears.
Contents
About the Goodenia Gibbosa Plant
Goodenia gibbosa is a plant that grows flat on the ground or very close to it. Its stems can reach up to about 40 centimeters (16 inches) long. The whole plant is covered in soft hairs.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of this plant are shaped like an oval or a spear, with the narrower end at the bottom. They grow both at the base of the plant and at the ends of special spreading stems called stolons. These stolons are like runners that can help the plant spread.
The leaves are usually between 50 and 80 millimeters (about 2 to 3 inches) long. They are also 4 to 14 millimeters (about 0.15 to 0.5 inches) wide. Their edges have rough, tooth-like shapes.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Goodenia gibbosa grow in small groups. Each flower has small, leaf-like parts called bracts nearby. Every flower sits on its own stalk, known as a pedicel, which can be 40 to 80 millimeters (about 1.5 to 3 inches) long.
The small, protective parts at the base of the flower, called sepals, are shaped like spears or eggs. They are about 2 to 3 millimeters long. The bright yellow petals are the main part of the flower and are 12 to 17 millimeters long. The lower parts of the petals have small "wings" that are about 2 to 2.5 millimeters wide.
This plant mostly flowers from May to October. After flowering, it produces a round fruit. This fruit is a capsule that is about 5 to 6 millimeters across.
How the Plant Got Its Name
The scientific name Goodenia gibbosa was first officially described in 1980. This was done by a scientist named Roger Charles Carolin. He wrote about it in a science journal called Telopea. He had collected a sample of the plant in 1967 in the Northern Territory.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of the name, gibbosa, comes from a Latin word. It means "swollen" or "pouched." This name refers to the plant's ovary, which is the part of the flower that holds the seeds and can look a bit swollen.
Where Goodenia Gibbosa Lives
This goodenia plant prefers to grow in sandy soil, especially on sand dunes. You can find it spread across the drier parts of central Australia. This includes areas in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia.
Protecting the Plant
The Goodenia gibbosa plant has different conservation statuses depending on where it is.
Conservation Status in Western Australia
In Western Australia, the Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife lists Goodenia gibbosa as "Priority Three." This means that scientists don't know a lot about the plant, and it's only found in a few places. However, it's not currently in immediate danger of disappearing.
Conservation Status in the Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory, the government considers it of "least concern" under their Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976. This means it is not considered to be at risk in that area.
