Family:

Goodeniaceae

Goodenia ovata

Hop Goodenia

Other Names:

First Nations Name(s):

Name Origin:

Goodenia — after the Rev. Dr Goodenough, Bishop of Carlisle, botanist.

ovata – Latin for ovate, referring to leaf shape.

Regional Subspecies:

Similar Species:

Very similar to Sticky Goodenia (G. varia).

Occurrence:

Regional:

Noted in The Rock-Henty-Milbrulong region.

Australia:

Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, SA.

Habitat:

Forest and woodland, sometimes in exposed rocky areas near the sea.

Habit:

Erect upright or prostrate sticky shrub to 2 m high. ‘Varnished’ bright green leaves.

Site Preference:

Protected position. Moist soil in semi-shade. Tolerates drought and moderate frost. Tolerates dry soil, poor drainage, waterlogging to 10 cm deep, and full sun to full shade.

Characteristics:

Very hardy. Fast-growing. Leaves faintly aromatic when crushed. Appears to be unpalatable to livestock.

Flowering:

Bright yellow, throughout year but mainly Oct-Mar.

Seed Collection:

Early Dec to late Jan. Monitor closely as seeds shed quickly.

Propagation:

From cuttings, which root readily. Difficult from fresh seed.

Regeneration:

Suckers readily. Colonises after fire and clearing.

VALUES:

Shade & Shelter:

Useful low-level cover in windbreaks.

Land Protection:

Useful tough, adaptable coloniser for various sites.

Wildlife:

Good habitat. Excellent shelter and food source for small insect-eating birds and native mice. Shelter for lizards and snakes. Rosellas eat fruit.

Ornamental:

Useful for bog gardens, rockeries, and under trees. Prune when young to prevent straggly growth. Accepts hard pruning. Useful for permanently wet soil.

Other:

Cut flowering branches last well in water. Tea made from leaves and twigs thought to have anti- diabetic properties.