Beach Naupaka

Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb.

ski-VOE-lah  tah-KAY-dah

Goodeniaceae

Explanation of name: The generic name is based on Roman C. Mucius Scaevola, who burned his right hand, making him left-handed.  Taccada comes from the Sri Lankan language. The flower looks as though ½ is missing.

Synonym: Scaevola sericea Vahl (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Scaevola_taccada)

Natural range: Old World Tropics

Recognition: Shrub with glossy longitudinally curled leaves. Flowers white. Fruits usually white.

Landscape uses:  Invasive exotic. Not recommended for landscaping.

Note:

The Indo-Pacific Strand Scaevola (Goodeniaceae): Yet Again!
P. S. Green
Taxon, Vol. 40, No. 1 (Feb., 1991), pp. 118-122

From the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature:

Scaevola taccada was validly published by Roxburgh (1814) by reference to an illustration in Rheede (Hort. Malab. 4: t. 59. 1683) that appears to be its sole basis. As the name applies to the species previously described as Lobelia taccada Gaertn. (1788), it is treated as a new combination, S. taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb., not as the name of a new species.