Beach Naupaka
Scaevola taccada
- Native to:
- Aldabra, Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Caroline Is., China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Cook Is., Fiji, Gilbert Is., Hainan, Hawaii, India, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marcus I., Marianas, Marshall Is., Mauritius, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Norfolk Is., Ogasawara-shoto, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Phoenix Is., Pitcairn Is., Réunion, Samoa, Seychelles, Society Is., Solomon Is., Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tuvalu, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wake I., Wallis-Futuna Is.
Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Goodeniaceae
- Genus:
- Scaevola
- Species:
- Scaevola taccada
- USDA Symbol:
- SCSE6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best when fleshy fruit pulp is removed. Fresh seeds have higher viability; germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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