Narrow-leaved goodenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narrow-leaved goodenia |
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| Near the White Mountains National Park | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Goodenia
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| Species: |
armitiana
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Goodenia armitiana, often called the narrow-leaved goodenia or fine goodenia, is a special flowering plant. It is part of the Goodeniaceae plant family. This plant is only found in northern Australia. It grows upright and has sticky or shiny leaves shaped like cylinders. Its yellow flowers grow in clusters. Small, leaf-like parts are found at the base of these flowers. After flowering, it produces round fruits.
What it Looks Like
Goodenia armitiana is a plant that stands upright. It usually grows to about 40 centimeters (16 inches) tall. Its leaves feel sticky or look shiny. This is because they have tiny glandular hairs. The leaves are shaped like cylinders or narrow lines. They are typically 30 to 60 millimeters (1.2 to 2.4 inches) long. They are also very thin, about 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters (0.02 to 0.06 inches) wide.
The flowers grow in long clusters called racemes. These clusters can be up to 200 millimeters (8 inches) long. Each flower has a small, leaf-like part called a bract at its base. Each flower sits on its own small stalk, called a pedicel. These stalks are usually 20 to 40 millimeters (0.8 to 1.6 inches) long.
The sepals, which are the green parts protecting the flower bud, are shaped like a spear. They are about 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) long. The corolla, which is the colorful part of the flower, is yellow. It measures about 8 to 10 millimeters (0.3 to 0.4 inches) long. The lower parts of the yellow petals are 2 to 3.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.14 inches) long. They also have small flaps, or wings, that are 0.3 to 0.8 millimeters (0.01 to 0.03 inches) wide. You can see this plant flowering in most months of the year. Its fruit is a round capsule (seed pod). It is about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) across.
How it Got its Name
The plant Goodenia armitiana was first officially described in 1877. This was done by Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in his book Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae. The plant samples he studied were collected near the Lynd River.
The second part of its scientific name, armitiana, honors William Edington de Margrat Armit. He was the person who collected the first plant samples. These samples are known as the type specimens. They are used as the main example for describing the species.
Where it Lives
The narrow-leaved goodenia grows in open areas. You can find it in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It also grows across the Northern Territory. Its range extends all the way to north-east Queensland.
Is it Protected?
Goodenia armitiana is considered a common plant. The Western Australian Government's Department of Parks and Wildlife says it is "not threatened." This means it is not in danger of disappearing. The Queensland Government also lists it as of "least concern." This is under their Nature Conservation Act 1992. The Northern Territory Government also considers it of "least concern." This is under their Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976.
