Fan flower, Sea Lettuce
Scaevola taccada

Family: Goodeniaceae

What it is like

A shrub with many branches. It grows 3 m high. The wood is soft and pale green. The leaves are glossy and oblong. They are thick and leathery. They are rounded at the tip and narrow at the base. They are 5-20 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. They are white and paper like and have 5 lobes. These are about 1 cm long. The flowering groups are 2-5 cm long. The fruit is round and 1 cm long. It is white and fleshy.

There are about 100 Scaevola species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur on tropical seashores. It needs sandy, well-drained soils. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Anguilla, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., Caroline Islands, Cayman Islands, China, Chuuk, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Pohnpei, Samoa, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, Yap

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to wrap food in earth ovens. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

It is a famine food as leaves are eaten when food is scarce.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from fresh seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Beach naupaka, Beach-berry, Beach plum, Bhadrak, Bhadraksh, Cardwell Cabbage, Dredre, Gahu, Geraa, Hailstones, Half flower, Huahekili, Magoo, Nanasu, Naupaka-kahakai, Romok, Te mao, To'ito'i, Vella-muttagam, Vella modagam

Synonyms

Lobelia taccada Gaertn.; Scaevola sericea Vahl.; Scaevola koenigii Vahl.; Scaevola frutescens (P. Miller) K. Krause;