Beach Naupaka
Scaevola taccada
- Native to:
- Aldabra, American Samoa, Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Caroline Is., China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Cook Is., Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gilbert Is., Hainan, Hawaii, India, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marcus I., Marianas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Norfolk Is., Northern Mariana Islands, 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
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★★☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- 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
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