Thread-leaved goodenia facts for kids
Goodenia filiformis, commonly known as the thread-leaved goodenia, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Goodeniaceae family. This plant is special because it grows only in certain coastal areas of south-western Western Australia. It is a type of herb that grows upright. It has long, thin leaves at its base and bright yellow flowers that grow in clusters.
Quick facts for kids Thread-leaved goodenia |
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Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Goodenia
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Species: |
filiformis
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Synonyms | |
Goodenia filiformis R.Br. var. filiformis |
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The thread-leaved goodenia is a plant that stands upright or leans slightly. It usually grows to be about 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) tall. Its leaves are long and thin, like threads. They are about 40–90 mm (1.6–3.5 in) long and very narrow, only 0.5–1 mm (0.020–0.039 in) wide. These leaves grow at the bottom of the plant.
Flower Details
The yellow flowers grow in special clusters called racemes. These clusters can be up to 80 mm (3.1 in) long. Each flower has small, leaf-like parts called bracts at its base. Every single flower sits on a stalk called a pedicel, which is about 10–40 mm (0.39–1.57 in) long.
The flower has small, egg-shaped parts called sepals, which are about 1.5 mm (0.059 in) long. The bright yellow petals, all together called the corolla, are about 10 mm (0.39 in) long. The lower parts of the corolla are about 4 mm (0.16 in) long and have small "wings" up to 1.5 mm (0.059 in) wide. This plant usually flowers from November to December or even January.
How Was It Named?
Plant Classification
The thread-leaved goodenia was first officially described in 1810. A famous botanist named Robert Brown gave it its scientific name, Goodenia filiformis. He wrote about it in his book called Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.
Meaning of the Name
The second part of its scientific name, filiformis, is a Latin word. It means "thread-shaped." This name perfectly describes the plant's long, thin leaves.
Where Does It Grow?
This goodenia plant likes to grow in places that get wet during winter. You can find it in coastal areas of south-western Western Australia. It grows between a place called Princess Royal Harbour and West Cape Howe.
Is It Protected?
The Government of Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife checks on plants like this. They have classified Goodenia filiformis as "not threatened." This means the plant is not currently in danger of disappearing.