Beach Naupaka
Scaevola taccada
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Goodeniaceae
- Genus:
- Scaevola
- Species:
- Scaevola taccada
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 8-12 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan, feb, mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov, dec
- Bloom Colors:
- White, Yellow, Green, Purple
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Florida, Hawaii, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Udea litorea
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in coastal areas with saline conditions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: For seeds: Soak in salt water up to 250 days. For cuttings: Use stems that are at least 1 cm in diameter from young growth with at least 3 nodes. Rooting hormone can be used.
Establishment: Naupaka is indigenous to Hawai'i and is found on all the major archipelagoes of Polynesia and Micronesia. It is one of the most common littoral shrubs, often forming dense thickets on rocky and sandy coasts throughout the area.
Source: npn.rngr.net