Scaevola gaudichaudii
Genus
Scaevola
Species
gaudichaudii
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Naupaka
- Naupaka kuahiwi
Hawaiian Names
- Naupaka
- Naupaka kuahiwi
Common Names
- Ridgetop naupaka
Synonyms
- Lobelia gaudichaudii
- Scaevola menziesiana
- Scaevola montana
- Scaevola swezeyana
- Temminckia gaudichaudii
- Temminckia menziesiana
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Shrub, Dwarf, Less than 2
- Shrub, Small, 2 to 6
Mature Size, Width
This naupaka kuahiwi has about an 8-foot spread.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Ground Cover
- Hedges
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Formerly scarce, and still not very common, Scaevola gaudichaudii is one of the easiest, hardiest and most rewarding of our native naupakas to grow and maintain in the landscape.
This naupaka does best in full sun conditions. It is well suited for harsh, dry, and windy locations.
People often plant coastal naupaka kahakai on the makai side of the house and naupaka kuahiwi on the mauka side. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola]
Source of Fragrance
- Flowers
Additional Fragrance Information
Flowers can be weak to mildly fragrant.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Brownish
- Pink
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
This naupaka kuahiwiʻs floral features are distinctive, with dark yellow, brownish-yellow or, more rare, pinkish flowers and have the classic half-flowers that naupaka are known for.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information
Cultivated naupaka kuahiwi appear to be constantly blooming and producing an abundance of small purple drupes.
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaves are between 1 to 2 inches long and their margins are slightly toothed.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Naupaka kuahiwi is relatively resistant to disease and pests, but is sometimes infested with ants. which then attract scale, thrips and other sucking insects.
Fertilizer
Plants require less fertilizer than the wet forest species. But it does benefit from yearly applications of compost or complete fertilizers. Small applications of a balanced slow release fertilizer with minor elements can be applied every six to twelve months. Foliar feed monthly or every other month with a kelp or fish emulsion, or a water-soluble fertilizer with a dilution of one-half to one-third of the recommended strength. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Pruning Information
Naupaka kuahiwi can tolerate moderate pruning.
Water Requirements
- Dry
Additional Water Information
This naupaka kuahiwi prefer dry conditions but tolerate moist conditions as well.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
- Heat
Soils
- Cinder
Limitations
This species is somewhat salt tolerant.
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Naupaka kuahiwi grows in dry ridges and flats in open shrubland and forests from about 250 to over 2,600 feet.
Endemic to Kauaʻi, Oʻahu (Waiʻanae and Koʻolau mountains), East Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, West and East Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
On Oʻahu, S. gaudichaudii has been recorded only from the northwestern end of the Waiʻanae Mountains, and from widely scattered locations in the Koʻolau Mountains. It is still locally common in the Kuaokalā area in the Waiʻanae Mountains, but in the Koʻolau Mountains an occurrence of about 15 plants on Kūlepeamoa Ridge in the southeastern end of the mountain range is all that is known to remain in that mountain range. [Joel Lau, Botanist]
Special Features and Information
General Information
Ten species of naupaka (Scaevola spp.) are native to the Hawaiian Islands in the Goodenia family or Goodeniaceae. The genus name comes from the Greek, scaevus, meaning left-handed or awkward, perhaps referring to the signature half-flowers resembling an open fan or hand.
Etymology
The generic name Scaevola is derived from the Greek scaevus, left-handed or awkward, perhaps in reference to the "awkward" appearance of the "half flower."
The specific epithet gaudichaudii is named after the French botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré (1789-1854) who made several contributions to the knowledge of Hawaiian flora during his voyages to the islands.
Hawaiian Name:
Six upland species of Scaevola share the Hawaiian name naupaka kuahiwi which means "naupaka of the mountains."
Early Hawaiian Use
Early Hawaiians used the fruits of naupaka kuahiwi to produce a purplish black dye. [1]
Additional References
[1] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, page 66.
[2] "In Gardens of Hawaii" by Marie C. Neal, pages 819-820.
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=Scaevola%20gaudichaudii
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