Return to This Plant's Category:  Ruttya to Solanum Scaevola taccada Beach Cabbage, Sea Lettuce, Beach Naupaka
	Code: 90264 Price: $10.95
	Quantity: Quantity in Basket: None

Family: Goodeniaceae This flowering plant is a common beach shrub throughout the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, reaching all the way to Hawaii. The flowers are white or cream colored, sometimes with purple streaks, and have an irregular shape with all five petals on one side of the flower, making it appear to have been torn in half. The downy leaves are light green, almost succulent, and the fleshy white berries can float in seawater for months before sprouting. It's a large dense shrub growing up to 9 feet in height, but usually kept much lower as a sprawling hedge. It is often used for beach landscaping, to prevent coastal erosion, and to protect other plants from salt spray. Because the Naupaka has this unique half-flower, ancient Hawaiians believed that it was the incarnation of lovers separated. The pleasantly fragrant flowers and corky seeds are sometimes made into Hawaiian leis. In Florida, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and throughout the Caribbean, it has become invasive, pushing out native plants. For this reason, it is not allowed to be shipped to these areas. No frost or cold weather. USDA zones 10 -12.

Keyed Cultural Guide: The following symbols are listed with many product descriptions. If so, they indicate special characteristics or growing requirements. Also, see "Cultural Information".

(B) Hanging
basket (D) Dwarf
under 12" (F) Flourescent lights for
indoor light culture (H) Humid
conditions (M) Miniature
under 6" (T) Terrarium
plant (W) Winter
flowering

Key to USDA Hardiness Zones