Goodenia debilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae and is endemic to Queensland. It is an annual herb with linear to lance-shaped leaves at the base of the plant, and leafy racemes of cream-coloured or yellow flowers with brownish markings.

Goodenia debilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Goodeniaceae
Genus: Goodenia
Species:
G. debilis
Binomial name
Goodenia debilis

Description edit

Goodenia debilis is an ascending or weakly erect annual herb that typically grows to a height of about 40 cm (16 in). The leaves are arranged at the base of the plant and are sessile, linear to lance-shaped, 10–50 mm (0.39–1.97 in) long and 0.5–3 mm (0.020–0.118 in) wide. The flowers are arranged in leafy racemes up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long, each flower on a pedicel 11–22 mm (0.43–0.87 in) long. The sepals are linear, 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long, the petals cream-coloured or yellow with brownish markings, 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) long, the lower lobes 0.5–2 mm (0.020–0.079 in) long with wings about 1 mm (0.039 in) wide. Flowering occurs from February to September and the fruit is an elliptic capsule 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide.[2]

Taxonomy and naming edit

Goodenia debilis was first formally described in 2002 by Ailsa E. Holland and T.P. Boyle in the journal Austrobaileya from specimens collected in Bulleringa National Park.[3] The specific epithet (debilis) means "feeble" or "weak".[4]

Distribution and habitat edit

This goodenia grows in woodland with species of Eucalyptus and Melaleuca in Queensland between the Torres Strait Islands and Townsville with a single collection on Mornington Island.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "Goodenia debilis". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b Holland, Ailsa E.; Boyle, T.P. (2002). "Four new species of Goodenia Smith (Goodeniaceae) from Queensland". Austrobaileya. 6 (2): 256–257. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Goodenia debilis". APNI. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  4. ^ Sharr, Francis Aubi; George, Alex (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 179. ISBN 9780958034180.