Sweet fan flower, Dune Fan Flower
Scaevola calendulacea
Family: Goodeniaceae
What it is like
A sprawling creeper or low shrub. It can spread for several metres. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are fleshy and covered with fine hairs. The flowers have 5 petals which are on the one side of the flower. The flowers are blue. The fruit are purple and berry-like.
There are about 100 Scaevola species. Most are in Australia. They mostly grow by the sea.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows on sand dunes near the coast. It can tolerate salt spray. It grows on sand islands along the Queensland coast. It cannot tolerate frost. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from cuttings. It can be grown from seeds by putting them in a cool dark location unit they germinate.