Plant · GBIF taxon 6358362
Naupaka Kahakai
Scaevola taccadaAlso known as Beach Naupaka, Beach Cabbage, Sea Lettuce, Beach Plum
Naupaka kahakai thrives along tropical shorelines, where its thick, fleshy leaves and white blossoms resist harsh salt spray and intense sunlight. The unique flowers appear as if cut perfectly in half, giving rise to rich Hawaiian folklore about lovers separated by land and sea. Dense root networks anchor shifting dunes, while buoyant white fruits drift across ocean currents to colonize distant island beaches.
CoastalSalt-TolerantFlowering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Invasive Herbivores
- Caterpillars
- Scale Insects
ThreatsCoastal development, shoreline erosion, invasive species
HabitatsSandy coastal beaches, rocky shorelines, mangrove margins
Life span10–30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGoodeniaceae
- SpeciesScaevola taccada
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Flowers: Look for the distinctive five-lobed blossoms that resemble half-flowers along the stem tips.
- Respecting Dunes: Observe from established beach paths to avoid damaging delicate coastal root systems.
Coastal Neighbor (c) David George, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David George · cc-by
Frequent Companion Mountain Relative
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