Scaevola chamissoniana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Goodeniaceae |
Genus: | Scaevola |
Species: | S. chamissoniana |
Binomial name | |
Scaevola chamissoniana | |
Synonyms [3] | |
Lobelia chamissoniana Kuntze Contents |
Scaevola chamissoniana is a shrub in the family Goodeniaceae [1] with a native range of the Hawaiian Islands, [3] where it is known as the Mountain naupaka or Naupaka kuahiwi. [4]
It is found in wet forests and open areas at elevations of about 1150 feet. It flowers yearround. [4]
It was first described in 1829, by Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré. [1] [2] The specific epithet, chamissoniana, honours Adelbert de Chamisso, naturalist to the expedition ("around the world, by order of the king"). [2]
Naupaka flowers have 5 petals, spiral leaves, and have a single plane of bilateral symmetry. They belong to the subclass Asteridae and family Goodenia. They share many characteristics with many types of fanflower plants. There are eight species of Naupaka plants which are native to Hawaii. [5]
The two forms of the Naupaka never grow in the same place. The beach naupaka strictly grow in beach environments and are well adapted to grow with the heat from the sun and the salt spray from the ocean. The beach variations of Naupaka are pure white in color. The mountain naupaka needs to be high in elevation at a cooler and rainy area of the mountains. The mountain type of naupaka are all different shades of purple and violet. The beach and mountain Naupaka flower are exactly the same but also polar opposite in their habitat needs which is what makes it such a special plant. [6]
This species is endemic to the islands of Hawaii. They can mostly be found in Kauai or Oahu at all elevations. They are abundant year round in tropical forests and open areas and grow densely and as large shrubs in undergrowth. It is well adapted to the moist air and wet environment of the Hawaiian islands. [7]
The Napaka flowers bloom year round and sporadically. Naupaka flowers are primarily pollinated by native Hawaiian bees who are attracted to the flower’s distinct pistil due to the half shape of the flower structure. Beach naupaka relies on seeds dispersed by ocean currents and birds, allowing it to colonize coastal areas. Mountain naupaka depends on land-based animals and gravity to distribute its seeds within the mountain ecosystems. Both the beach and mountain naupaka have adapted their reproduction styles to their environment to ensure their long term survival. [8]
The Naupaka plants are shrubs which can also grow into trees. They are a 5 petal flowering plant. Small shrubs range from 2 to 6 feet. Medium sized shrubs grow from around 6 to 10 feet. Small Naupaka trees grow to around 10 to 30 feet. The flowers are most commonly white. Other species of fan flowers are purple, blue, or pink. The leaves are a medium green color. The leaves of the Naupaka are thick and plump, similar to a succulent. They are known as fanflowers because the petals don’t go around in the circle around the pistil which is the center part of a flower. Instead, the petals go only around half of the circumference creating a fan-like shape. [9]
There are two variations of the legend behind the Naupaka flower to explain why they have an incomplete appearance and why there is the beach naupaka vs the mountain naupaka that are the same flower but require different habitats and have different colors. [10]
The flower is named after a Hawaiian princess named Naupaka. She was in love with a commoner named Kaui. The two were not allowed to be together because of their class rankings. They ran away to find a kahuna (a Hawaiian priest, expert, secret keeper, or healer) to help them be together but he was unable to do anything for them. Naupaka was wearing a flower in her ear and out of sadness took it out, ripped it in half, and gave the other half to Kaui. She claimed that since the Gods wouldn’t allow the two to be together, she would live in the mountains and he would live down at the beach by the water. The next day, the naupaka plants started to grow everywhere between where the two were, between the shoreline and the top of the mountain. These plants would bloom in only half flowers which explains their fan-like shape. [11]
Another version of the legend says that in ancient times Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of volcanoes and fire [12] was jealous of these two young lovers and wanted to split them up. She eventually drove the man away into the mountains while the woman was stuck down on the beach. Pele had planned to burn the man to death with her lava but Pele’s two sisters had pity for the man and they changed him into Mountain Naupaka flower. The Naupaka is one of a few plants who are able to survive on lava fields. Then, when Pele went to go after the girl, Pele’s sisters transformed the girl into the Beach Naupaka. This type of Naupaka is able to survive in the sand and is adapted to the salty ocean water. [13]
The Napuku flowers nowadays are used in leis. Traditionally, a man would bring his woman a lei made from these half flowers put together to be whole again. This is a symbol for the love and reunion of Naupaka and Kaui from the legend(s).
Scaevola is a genus of flowering plants in the Goodenia family, Goodeniaceae. It consists of more than 130 species, with the center of diversity being Australia and Polynesia. There are around 80 species in Australia, occurring throughout the continent, in a variety of habitats. Diversity is highest in the South West, where around 40 species are endemic.
Kaʻena or Kaena Point is the westernmost tip of the island of Oʻahu. In Hawaiian, kaʻena means "the heat". The area was named after a brother or cousin of Pele. The point is designated as a Natural Area Reserve.
Pandanus tectorius is a species of Pandanus (screwpine) that is native to Malesia, Papuasia, eastern Australia, and the Pacific Islands. It grows in the coastal lowlands typically near the edge of the ocean. Common names in English include thatch screwpine, Tahitian screwpine, hala tree and pandanus. The fruit is edible and sometimes known as hala fruit.
Hibiscus waimeae is a species of flowering plant within the okra family, Malvaceae, that is endemic to the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii.
Sesbania tomentosa, commonly known as Oahu riverhemp and ʻōhai, is an endangered species of plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to the main Hawaiian Islands as well as Nihoa and Necker Island. It inhabits low shrublands and, rarely, dry forests, at elevations from sea level to 2,500 ft (760 m). Associated native plant species include akiʻaki, ilima, naupaka kahakai, and pili. Off-road vehicles, wildfires, grazing, and alien species competition have destroyed their habitat on the main islands, but they are still quite common on Nihoa and Necker. At least 2000 specimens grow on Nihoa, while there are far less on Necker.
Sida fallax, known as yellow ilima or golden mallow, is a species of herbaceous flowering plant in the Hibiscus family, Malvaceae, indigenous to the Hawaiian Archipelago and other Pacific Islands. Plants may be erect or prostrate and are found in drier areas in sandy soils, often near the ocean. ʻIlima is the symbol of Laloimehani and is the flower for the islands of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, and Abemama, Kiribati.
Brighamia rockii, known as the Molokai ohaha or Pua ʻala in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, that is endemic to the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaii. Pua ʻala inhabits mesic shrublands and forests on rocky cliffs from sea level to 470 m (1,540 ft) on the island's northern windward coast. Associated plants include ʻōhiʻa lehua, alaheʻe, lama, ʻūlei, and naupaka.
Scaevola coriacea, the dwarf naupaka, is one of the ten Scaevolas, that are endemic to Hawaii.
Scaevola glabra, the 'ohe naupaka, is a shrub in the family Goodeniaceae. The flowers are yellow.
Cyanea is a genus of flowering plants in the family Campanulaceae that are endemic to Hawaii. The name Cyanea in Hawaiian is hāhā.
Isodendrion laurifolium is a rare species of flowering plant in the violet family known by the common names rockcliff isodendrion and aupaka. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from fewer than 1000 individuals on the islands of Kauai and Oahu. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Plantago princeps is a rare species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common name ale. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Like other Hawaiian Plantago, it is known as kuahiwi laukahi, or laukahi kuahiwi. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Viola chamissoniana is a species of flowering plant in the violet family known by the common name 'olopu. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui.
Scaevola taccada, also known as beach cabbage, sea lettuce, or beach naupaka, is a flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae found in mangrove swamps and rocky or sandy 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 Ocean.
Scaevola platyphylla, commonly known as broad-leaved fanflower, is a shrub in the family Goodeniaceae. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Plants grow to between 0.3 and 1.3 metres high and have blue to purple flowers that appear between August and January in their native range.
Scaevola oxyclona, commonly known as tangled fanflower, is a spiny shrub in the family Goodeniaceae, native to Western Australia. It grows to between 0.1 and 1.5 metres high and produces blue to purple flowers from August to December in its native range. The species was first formally described in 1876 by Victorian Government Botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in the tenth volume of Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae based on plant material collected at Frasers Range and Mount Benjamin.
Scaevola gaudichaudii, the ridgetop naupaka, is a shrub in the family Goodeniaceae. The flowers are yellow. The plant is endemic to Hawaii.
Scaevola gaudichaudiana, the mountain naupaka, is a perennial shrub in the family Goodeniaceae. The plant is endemic to Hawaii.
Scaevola phlebopetala, commonly known as velvet fanflower, is a herb in the family Goodeniaceae and is endemic to Western Australia.
Scaevola kilaueae, the Kīlauea naupaka, is a species of fanflower endemic to the eastern windward side of the island of Hawaiʻi.
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