Home PagePicture ArchivesFlora of QatarGoodeniaceaeScaevola sericea

Scaevola sericea Forst. fil.

Synonyms

Lobelia frutescens, Lobelia koenigii, Lobelia piliplena, Lobelia sericea, Lobelia taccada, Lobelia velutina, Roemeria lobelia, Scaevola bela-modagam, Scaevola billardieri, Scaevola chlorantha, Scaevola collina, Scaevola fauriei, Scaevola frutescens, Scaevola koenigii, Scaevola lambertiana, Scaevola lativaga, Scaevola leschenaultii, Scaevola lobelia, Scaevola macrocalyx, Scaevola piliplena, Scaevola plumerioides, Scaevola plumieri, Scaevola salutaris, Scaevola taccada, Scaevola velutina

Common names

Beach Cabbage, Beach Naupaka, fanflower, Half flower, Magoo, Merambong, Naupaka kahakai, Ngahu, Sea Lettuce

Extract from Wikipedia article

Scaevola taccada, also known as Beach Cabbage, Sea Lettuce, Beach Naupaka, Naupaka kahakai (Hawaiian), Magoo (Divehi), Merambong (Malay) and Ngahu (Tongan) is a flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae found in coastal locations in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. It is a common beach shrub throughout the Arabian Sea, the tropical Indian Ocean and the tropical Islands of the Pacific.

AI-generated Description

Scaevola sericea, also known as Fairy Fanflower or Half Flower, is a low-growing, spreading shrub native to Australia. In Qatar, it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its heat tolerance and drought resistance. It features delicate, fan-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white, blooming throughout the warm months. As an adaptable and low-maintenance groundcover, Scaevola sericea thrives in Qatar's arid climate, making it a popular choice for landscaping and gardens.

Waxy leaves of beach cabbage (Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
LinkWaxy leaves of beach cabbage (Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
Location on mapsAl Markhiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Fruits of beach cabbage (Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) capable to float in seawater in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
LinkFruits of beach cabbage (Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) capable to float in seawater in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
Location on mapsAl Markhiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Blooming fanflower (beach cabbage, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
LinkBlooming fanflower (beach cabbage, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
Location on mapsAl Markhiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Blooming half flower (beach cabbage, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
LinkBlooming half flower (beach cabbage, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
Location on mapsAl Markhiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Berries of beach cabbage (Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) capable to float in seawater and propagated by ocean currents in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
LinkBerries of beach cabbage (Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) capable to float in seawater and propagated by ocean currents in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 2, 2015
Location on mapsAl Istiqlal Street, Doha, Qatar
Half flower (beach cabbage, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in bloom in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 26, 2015
LinkHalf flower (beach cabbage, Scaevola sericea, Scaevola taccada) in bloom in a park at Al Markhiya Street near a corner with Onaiza. Doha, Qatar, May 26, 2015

AI-generated summary of observations

The waxy leaves of Scaevola sericea were observed in a park at Al Markhiya Street. The plant's fruits are capable of floating in seawater, allowing them to be propagated by ocean currents. Blooming fanflowers and half flowers were also seen, with the latter observed on two separate occasions, May 2 and May 26, 2015. The berries of the plant are designed to float and spread through the water, facilitating the plant's dispersal. These observations suggest that Scaevola sericea is adapted to coastal environments and can thrive in areas with saltwater influence. The plant's ability to bloom in late spring, as seen on May 2 and May 26, indicates its tolerance for warm temperatures and potentially salty conditions. Overall, the plant's unique characteristics enable it to survive and propagate in Qatar's coastal regions.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.