Family: Goodeniaceae
Author: (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Bibliography: Hort. Bengal.: 15 (1814)
Year: 1814
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Scaevola
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Kenya to E. Tanzania, KwaZulu-Natal, Indian Ocean to Pacific
Description
Sea lettucetree, scientifically known as Scaevola taccada, is a plant species belonging to the Goodeniaceae family. This evergreen shrub is recognized for its hardy nature and widespread presence across various geographic locales, including Southeast Kenya to Eastern Tanzania, KwaZulu-Natal, and expansively throughout the Indian Ocean to the Pacific regions.
Renowned for its resilience, Scaevola taccada thrives in coastal environments where it often forms dense thickets. This adaptability makes it a significant component of shoreline plant communities where it plays vital roles in stabilizing sand dunes and protecting against coastal erosion. The plant typically reaches a height of up to 3 meters and features succulent, spoon-shaped leaves that are glossy and fleshy, enabling it to conserve water efficiently—a key adaptation for survival in its often harsh, salt-sprayed habitats.
The Sea lettucetree blossoms with small, white, and tubular flowers that are differentiated by their distinctive fan shape, an attribute contributing to its common name. These flowers subsequently develop into fleshy, white berries that are capable of floating on water, facilitating the plant’s prolific spread across vast oceanic distances.
Ecologically, Scaevola taccada is indispensable, providing habitat and food for various wildlife species. Its dense foliage offers shelter to numerous insects and birds, while its flowers and fruits serve as nourishment for different creatures within its ecosystem.
Historically, the plant has been referenced in literature since the early 19th century, notably mentioned in “Hortus Bengalensis” in 1814. Authored by the botanist William Roxburgh, this publication identified and cataloged various plant species prevalent in Bengal and beyond, including Scaevola taccada.
In environmental management and horticulture, the Sea lettucetree is often utilized for its ornamental value and robust nature. Its ability to flourish in poor soils with minimal care makes it a favorite for coastal landscaping projects aimed at enhancing both aesthetic appeal and ecological resilience.
In summary, Scaevola taccada stands out not only for its attractive appearance and adaptability but also for its crucial role in coastal ecosystems. Its presence across a wide range of locales underscores its ecological importance and the need for continued conservation efforts to protect this versatile and valuable plant species.
Common Names
En: Sea lettucetree, Pipetree, Beach naupaka, Beach scaevola, Beach-cabbage, Cardwell cabbage, Half-flower, Veloutier, Beach Naupaca, Beach grape, Fan flower, Half Flower, Sea Lettuce, Beach plum, Naupaka kahakai
Fr: Manioc bord de mer, Manioc marron
Ms: Ambong-ambong, Merambong
Synonyms
- Lobelia plumieri (Burm.f.)
- Lobelia velutina (Kuntze)
- Scaevola frutescens ((Mill.) K.Krause)
- Scaevola koenigii (Vahl)
- Scaevola taccada var. sericea ((Vahl) H.St.John)
- Scaevola koenigii var. glabra (Matsum.)
- Scaevola velutina (C.Presl)
- Scaevola chlorantha (de Vriese)
- Scaevola lobelia var. sericea ((Vahl) Benth.)
- Scaevola sericea (Vahl)
- Scaevola frutescens var. sericea ((Vahl) Merr.)
- Scaevola koenigii var. macrocalyx (Miq.)
- Lobelia koenigii ((Vahl) Saff.)
- Scaevola taccada f. punicea (H.St.John)
- Lobelia piliplena (Kuntze)
- Scaevola taccada var. fauriei ((H.Lév.) H.St.John)
- Scaevola taccada var. bryanii (H.St.John)
- Scaevola macrocalyx (de Vriese)
- Lobelia sericea var. koenigii ((M.Vahl) Kuntze)
- Scaevola taccada f. moomomiana ((O.Deg. & Greenwell) T.Yamaz.)
- Scaevola frutescens var. koenigii ((Vahl) Domin)
- Scaevola frutescens f. glabra ((Matsum.) Hatus.)
- Lobelia frutescens (Mill.)
- Scaevola billardierei (D.Dietr.)
- Scaevola bela-modagani (Schult.)
- Scaevola fauriei (H.Lév.)
- Scaevola piliplena (Miq.)
- Lobelia sericea (Kuntze)
- Roemeria lobelia (Dennst.)
- Scaevola plumerioides (Nutt.)
- Scaevola lambertiana (de Vriese)
- Scaevola lativaga (Hance)
- Scaevola leschenaultii (DC.)
Distribution
- Aldabra (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Christmas I. (native)
- Cocos (Keeling) Is. (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Cook Is. (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Gilbert Is. (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Hawaii (native)
- India (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Laccadive Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Line Is. (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maldives (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marcus I. (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marshall Is. (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nauru (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Niue (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Phoenix Is. (native)
- Pitcairn Is. (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Society Is. (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tokelau-Manihiki (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Tuamotu (native)
- Tubuai Is. (native)
- Tuvalu (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Wake I. (native)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Belize (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Northeast (introduced)
- Mexico Northwest (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jan 12, 2021 by PATRICK PREVOST (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 15, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 15, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2020 by corentin burger (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2020 by isabelle turquin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2017 by blanchard (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2020 by corentin burger (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 17, 2019 by Diana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2012 by J. Champ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2018 by Michael Goddard (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Mar 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 26, 2009 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Robert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Mickael Bonnefond (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 25, 2019 by Gourdon Gourdon Léa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2022 by Alex (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2020 by corentin burger (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:384339-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb.)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6358362)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Shrub