Pinnate goodenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinnate goodenia |
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Goodenia
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| Species: |
macmillanii
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Goodenia macmillanii, often called pinnate goodenia, is a special flowering plant. It grows only in Victoria, Australia. This plant is a short-lived perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years but not forever. It can grow up to 50 centimeters (about 20 inches) tall.
Pinnate goodenia has unique leaves. They are "pinnate," which means they look a bit like a feather. Each leaf has smaller parts called leaflets. These leaflets have edges that look like tiny teeth. While most plants in its family have yellow flowers, Goodenia macmillanii stands out. Its flowers are a lovely mauve to purple color. You can see these beautiful flowers between November and February in Australia.
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Discovering Pinnate Goodenia
This plant was first officially described in 1859. A botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller gave it its scientific name. He was a very important government botanist in Victoria. He wrote about the plant in his book, Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
The plant's scientific name, macmillanii, honors someone special. It was named after Angus McMillan. He was a pioneer and explorer in the Gippsland region of Victoria.
Where Pinnate Goodenia Lives
Pinnate goodenia likes to grow in rocky areas. You can find it on the slopes of valleys. These valleys are near the Macalister, Snowy, and Deddick Rivers. These rivers are all located in Victoria, Australia.
Protecting This Plant
Pinnate goodenia is considered a "vulnerable" species. This means it is at risk of disappearing if we don't protect it. The Department of Sustainability and Environment in Victoria keeps a list of rare or threatened plants. Goodenia macmillanii is on this important list. Efforts are made to help this unique plant survive and thrive.
Growing Pinnate Goodenia
You can grow pinnate goodenia in your garden! It can grow well in both shady and sunny spots. This plant is also quite good at handling dry periods. However, it grows best when it gets enough moisture. It can even handle light to medium frosts.
Pinnate goodenia prefers sandy loam soil. This is a type of soil that has a good mix of sand, silt, and clay. But it can also grow in rocky or clay-based soils. You can even grow it in a pot using regular potting mix. If you want more of these plants, you can get them by "division." This means carefully splitting a larger plant into smaller ones.
