Goodenia exigua explained

Goodenia exigua is a species of flowering plant in the Goodeniaceae family and is endemic to the south of Western Australia. It is a stoloniferous, perennial plant with whorls of spatula-shaped leaves and yellow flowers.

Description

Goodenia exigua is a glabrous, stoloniferous perennial that typically grows to a height of . The leaves are borne on the stems in irregular whorls of spatula-shaped leaves with a yellowish tip. The leaves are up to long and up to wide. The flowers are borne in cymes or are solitary, with linear bracteoles long at the base. The upper sepal is D-shaped, about long and the petals are about long, glabrous and yellow with short wings. The capsule is more or less round and contains wingless seeds about in diameter.[1]

Taxonomy

Goodenia exigua was first formally described in 1863 by Ferdinand von Mueller in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae, from a specimen collected by George Maxwell.[2] The specific epithet (exigua) means "small" or "feeble", referring to the habit of the plant.[3]

Distribution

Goodenia exigua is found in the Avon Wheatbelt, Esperance Plains and Mallee bioregions of southern Western Australia.

Conservation status

This species of goodenia is classified as "Priority Two" by the Government of Western Australia Department of Parks and Wildlife, meaning that it is rare or threatened.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Carolin . Roger C. . Velleia exigua . Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra . 13 April 2024.
  2. Book: von Mueller . Ferdinand . Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae . 3 . 1863 . Victorian Government Printer . Melbourne . 142 . 13 April 2024.
  3. Book: Sharr . Francis Aubi . George . Alex . Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings . 2019 . Four Gables Press . Kardinya, WA . 9780958034180 . 195. 3rd.
  4. Web site: Conservation codes for Western Australian Flora and Fauna. Government of Western Australia Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. 11 April 2024.