Goodenia hassallii facts for kids

Goodenia hassallii is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. It is found only in the south-west part of Western Australia. This plant is a straight, bushy plant that lives for many years. It has long, narrow leaves with teeth on their edges. Its flowers are blue and grow in clusters.

About the Goodenia Hassallii Plant

Goodenia hassallii is a straight, smooth, bushy plant. It can grow up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall. Its leaves are long and narrow, like a spearhead, wider at the bottom. They are about 5 to 8 centimeters (2-3 inches) long and 1.5 to 10 millimeters wide. Their edges have rough teeth.

Its blue flowers grow in clusters called racemes, which can be up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. Each flower cluster grows on a short stalk that is 5 to 15 millimeters long. Small, leaf-like parts called bracts are found near the flowers. Each individual flower has its own tiny stalk that is 2 to 3 millimeters long.

The sepals (small leaf-like parts protecting the bud) are narrow and about 5 millimeters long. The blue petals, together called the corolla, are 13 to 15 millimeters long. The lower parts of the blue petals are 5 to 7 millimeters long and have small 'wings' about 2 millimeters wide. It blooms from October to January. After flowering, it produces an oval-shaped fruit called a capsule, which is about 6 millimeters long.

How it Got its Name

Scientists first officially described Goodenia hassallii in 1867. This was done by Ferdinand von Mueller, a famous botanist, in his book Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. He used plant samples collected by James Drummond.

The second part of its scientific name, hassallii, honors Albert Young Hassell.

Where it Lives

This goodenia plant likes to grow in sandy or gravelly soil. You can find it in the Avon Wheatbelt, Geraldton Sandplains, and Jarrah Forest areas. These regions are all in the south-west of Western Australia.

Conservation Status

The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife says that Goodenia hassallii is "not threatened." This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.