| Scaevola taccada | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In its typical habitat;Maui, Kanaha Beach | |
.jpg) | |
| Flower | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Goodeniaceae |
| Genus: | Scaevola |
| Species: | S. taccada |
| Binomial name | |
| Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb. | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Scaevola taccada, also known asbeach cabbage,sea lettuce, orbeach naupaka, is aflowering plant in the familyGoodeniaceae found in mangrove swamps and rocky or sandy coastal locations in thetropical areas of theIndo-Pacific.[3][4] It is a common beach shrub throughout theArabian Sea, the tropicalIndian Ocean and the tropical islands of thePacific Ocean.
There has long been confusion over the correct scientific name for this species. It is also known by thesynonymScaevola sericea.[1][2]
Scaevola taccada is a large bush that grows up to about 3–10 metres typical oflittoral zones where it grows very close to the sea exposed to thesalt spray, usually on sandy or pebbly soils.[5] The branchlets are 1–1.5 cm thick with white tufts at the leaf axils.[2]: 339–340
Leaves are slightlysucculent about 8–25 cm cm long, closely alternate or in a spiral and crowded at the stem tips.[4] They areglabrous with a fleshy-looking yellowish green color.
It flowers every time of the year infan-like clusters which gives them the namefanflower orhalf flower. Each flower has white petals between 2–2.5 cm long, sometimes with violet stripes. Each flower has a curved style. They are pollinated by large bees or on its own.[4]
The fruit is a round, fleshy drupe between 1–15 mm. It is similar to the fruit ofS. plumieri – both were included in the originalcircumscription of the species.S. taccada has evident calyx lobes and white fruit on which the calyx lobes persist.S. plumieri has short or absent lobes on itscalyx and its fruit turns black fruit when ripe,[6] but ripeS. taccada fruit turns from green to white.[4] They can float in seawater and are propagated byocean currents, this bush is apioneer plant in newsandbanks in tropical areas.[7]
Two shrubbyScaevola species occur along the coasts of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They sometimes occur in the same region, but one is more western, reaching Atlantic coasts, and one more eastern, reaching out into the Pacific.Carl Linnaeus initially included both species in hisLobelia plumieri, which he later considered to be the sole species in his new genusScaevola (although the combinationScaevola plumieri was first published byMartin Vahl).[6] There has been confusion for many years over the correct name of the two species when they are recognized as distinct.[8][9]Scaevola plumieri(L.) Vahl is now used as the name for the western species.
The earliest name now recognized as applying to the eastern species,Lobelia taccada, was published byJoseph Gaertner in 1788.William Roxburgh indirectly referred to this name when transferring it to the genusScaevola in 1788.[10] Separately, and later,Martin Vahl describedScaevola sericea in 1791, based on a specimen fromNiue, a small island in the south Pacific Ocean.[11] In 1980, Jeffrey argued that the correct name for the species wasScaevola sericea, since Roxburgh's transfer was not acceptable under the nomenclature code.[6] However,Green in 1991 considered that Jeffrey was mistaken, the transfer being valid, so that the correct name for the eastern species wasScaevola taccada,[12] the name used, for example, by the onlineFlora of China.[1] TheInternational Plant Names Index accepts this analysis.[10]
The species is found in coastal areas and beaches ofOkinawa,Taiwan,Southern China,Vietnam,Malaysia,Philippines,Indonesia,East Timor,Northern Australia,Polynesia,Melanesia,Micronesia,East Africa,Madagascar,Mauritius,Seychelles,Oman,Yemen,India,Maldives,Burma,Thailand,Cambodia,Chagos Islands,Comoros, andRéunion.
In the United States (Florida, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands) as well as many otherCaribbean nations and the Bahamas,Scaevola taccada has become an invasive species, pushing away the native CaribbeanScaevola plumieri species from its native habitat.[13]
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Scaevola taccada typically grows directly on the beaches of tropical coasts with a preference for beach crests on coral sands. It grows within the salt spray area and it is amongst the first pioneer plant colonisers on tropicalatolls and sandbanks. Besides seeds, it is easily propagated from cuttings.[14]
It prefers well drained sandy soils and it is a very salt tolerant scrub. However, its roots cannot stand direct seawater that rises frequently.[4]Scaevola taccada is sometimes found growing in loose plant communities withcoconut palms,soldierbush,beach morning glory,beach gardenia, severalpandanus species,beach calophyllum followed byportia tree,sea almond,beach hibiscus,Cordia subcordata and others. The plant is often featured prominently ontropical island postcards and wallpapers.
 |  |
 | _001.jpg) |  |
In some islands of the Pacific,Scaevola taccada is used to preventcoastal erosion as well as for landscaping. It is also planted on the beach crests to protect other cultivated plants from the salt spray.
S. taccada trees provide a safe and shady environment for femalegreen turtles coming to shore to lay their eggs.[15]: 34–35
Parts of the plant are also used inPolynesian and Asiantraditional medicine.[16] Drops from the plant were used in cases of eye irritation byChamorrobreath-holdspearfishermen in theMariana Islands.[17] Historically in theMaldives the leaves of this plant were often used asfamine food.[18]
Media related toScaevola taccada at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toScaevola taccada at Wikispecies