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Scaevola taccada

Common Name: beach naupaka

Family: Goodeniaceae

Common Synonyms: Scaevola frutescens, Scaevola koenigii, Scaevola sericea

USDA Hardiness Zone: 10a-11

Growth Habit: Shrub

Origin: Southeastern Asia, eastern Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii

FISC Category: 1

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: Yes

Introduction Date: At least the 1960's

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: PROHIBITED
  • Central: PROHIBITED
  • South: PROHIBITED
Bright green oval leaves and small white flowers
Chris Lockhart

Description

"Leaves: Blades 4-21 cm (1.5-8.25 in.) long, 1.8-9 cm (0.7-1.5 in.) wide, appearing elliptic to spoon-shaped with broad tip often having shallow indentations, leaf edges sometimes curved downward; somewhat succulent, but not stiff or thick-skinned. There are two varieties of beach naupaka. The common S. taccada var. sericea has silky plant hairs on the stem and leaves, and the less common S. taccada var. taccada, appears to be smooth, lacking plant hairs. Flowers: Dense axillary clusters emerge in groups of three, all flowers stalked. Five white, sometimes pinkish violet, petals (about 2 cm long) extend halfway around the flower, like a semi-circle, resulting in the name ""half-flower"". Fruits: Round to elliptical single-seeded fruit (drupe) measuring about 1.0-1.7 cm (0.4-0.66 in.) with white to yellowish-white skin. Plants can produce fruits within their first or second year. "

Habitat

Beach dunes, coastal rock barrens, coastal strands, mangrove forests, coastal hammocks, coastal landscapes

Comments

Occasionally mislabeled as the native inkberry by plant nurseries

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: Difficult to control by hand because plant fragments and cuttings can readily grow new plants. All parts of the plant must be removed to be effective.
  • Chemical: Basal application with 10% Garlon 4 or cut-stump application with 50% Garlon 3A.
  • Biological: No biological control agents have been approved for this species.

Control Notes

Monitoring and re-treatment are necessary for at least two to three years.

References

IFAS, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2022. Scaevola taccada. https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/scaevola-taccada/ Accessed August 10, 2022

IFAS, UF. 2022. Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Scaevola taccada var sericea. https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/scaevola-taccada-var-sericea/. Accessed August 10, 2022.

Dave's Garden. 2022. Scaevola Species, Beach Naupaka, Beach Fan-flower, Hawaiian Half-flower, Sea Lettuce. https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59171/ Accessed August 10, 2022.

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