Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)
The Fanflower family is found mainly in Australia but a few species occur in South America, Africa, West Indies, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
The family comprises 7 genera and over 400 species. Currently recognised genera in the Australian Plant Census are shown in the following table.
| Genus | Approx No. of Species | Distribution |
| Anthotium | 4 | South-west of Western Australia |
| Brunonia | 1 | All Australian States and Territories (Some authorities place Brunonia into the monotypic family Brunoniaceae) |
| Coopernookia | 6 | South-west of Western Australia, South Australia, eastern New South Wales, south-east Queensland and northern Tasmania |
| Dampiera | 70 | All Australian States and Territories |
| Goodenia | 200 | All Australian States and Territories, New Zealand, New Guinea, Indonesia, Chile, Philippines |
| Lechenaultia | 32 | Mainland states except Victoria (mainly Western Australia). Also New Guinea |
| Scaevola | 130 | All Australian States and Territories. Also New Guinea, Indonesia, Pacific islands, Africa and the Caribbean |
Several former genera which may still be recognised by some authorities are:
- Diaspasis – Transferred to Scaevola
- Pentaptilon – Transferred to Goodenia
- Selliera – Transferred to Goodenia
- Velleia – Transferred to Goodenia
- Verreauxia – Transferred to Goodenia
Goodeniaceae Study Group
The Goodeniaceae Study Group aims to further knowledge of this family of Australian native plants. Members of this study group focus on the identification, propagation cultivation, and conservation of members of the family. As in all study groups, the members’ work is carried out in their own homes and gardens and in their own spare time.
Membership of the Goodeniaceae Study Group is free to members of regional plant societies. Follow the link below to find out more about the Group, including access to its newsletter archive.
Most books dealing with Australian native plants will contain useful information on the botany and horticulture of the Goodeniaceae. Some of the most detailed references are listed below.
Books:
The following are out-of-print but may be available through municipal libraries.
- Elliot, W. R and Jones D (1982), The Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, all volumes, Lothian Publishing Company Pty Ltd, Melbourne.
- Wrigley, J and Fagg, M (2013), Australian Native Plants: Cultivation, Use in Landscaping and Propagation (6th Edition), Reed New Holland, Chatswood, New South Wales
Journals:
Numerous issues of the Society’s journal Australian Plants are particularly useful for those interested in growing members of the Goodeniaceae.
Back issues of Australian Plants have been digitised and can be searched and viewed online. Searching these for a particular genus or species may find useful references
Of particular interest is Issue 224 (Spring 2015) of “Australian Plants” in which the entire issue features members of the family. The contents of the issue include:
- The family members
- The anthers not-free species: Lechenaultia, Anthotium, Dampiera, Diaspasis, Brunonia
- The anthers free species: Goodenia, Scaevola, Velleia, Verreauxia, Pentaptilon, Coopernookia, Selliera
- Propagating the Goodeniaceae
Internet:
- Lechenaultia biloba (from ‘Gardening With Angus’).
- Lechenaultia biloba (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Lechenaultia formosa (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Scaevola aemula (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Goodenia hederacea (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Goodenia humilis (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Goodenia macmillanii (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Goodenia ovata – prostrate form (from ‘Gardening With Angus’).
- Dampiera diversifolia (from National Botanic Gardens).
- Dampiera diversifolia (from ‘Gardening With Angus’).
- Dampiera stricta (from ‘Gardening With Angus’).