Shiny pansy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shiny pansy |
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| Goodenia glabra near Goolgowi | |
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| Genus: |
Goodenia
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| Species: |
glabra
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The Goodenia glabra, often called the shiny pansy or smooth goodenia, is a type of flowering plant. It is part of the Goodeniaceae plant family. This plant is special because it grows only in the dry, inland parts of Australia. It's a small, low-lying plant, like a herb. It has leaves with wavy edges and yellow flowers. These flowers often have cool purplish markings.
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What Does the Shiny Pansy Look Like?
The shiny pansy is a small plant that grows close to the ground. Its stems can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) long. The leaves at the bottom of the plant are shaped like a narrow egg. They are about 30–90 mm (1.2–3.5 in) long and 7–11 mm (0.28–0.43 in) wide. These leaves have lobed or wavy edges. Leaves higher up on the stem are smaller but wider.
Its Flowers and Fruit
The plant's yellow flowers grow in groups called racemes. These flower stalks can be up to 250 mm (9.8 in) long. Each flower grows on a small stem called a pedicel. This pedicel is about 8–20 mm (0.31–0.79 in) long. There are small, leaf-like parts called bracts at the base of the flower stalks.
The flower has small, linear parts called sepals, which are about 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long. The petals are yellow and often have purplish marks. They are about 10–18 mm (0.39–0.71 in) long. The lower parts of the flower's petals are 3–6.5 mm (0.12–0.26 in) long. They have small "wings" that are 1.5–2.5 mm (0.059–0.098 in) wide.
Shiny pansies can flower almost all year round. After flowering, they produce an oval-shaped fruit. This fruit is a capsule and is about 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) long.
How Did It Get Its Name?
The shiny pansy was first officially described in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown gave it its scientific name. He wrote about it in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
The second part of its scientific name, glabra, means "without hair." This describes how smooth the plant is.
Where Does the Shiny Pansy Live?
The shiny pansy grows in the drier, inland parts of Australia. You can find it in several states and territories. These include Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.
