HAWAIIAN HALF-FLOWER
Scientific name: Scaevola sericea
Family: Goodeniaceae/goodenia
Origin: East Africa to India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands
Description:
Large, bushy shrub to sixteen feet tall, often forming dense mounds. Leaves are plain, closely alternate, crowded at stem tips; blades thick, shiny green, wider near tips, up to 8.3 inches long; flowers white-to-pale lilac, several in short clusters where leaf is joined to stem; five petals, fan-like. Fruit is a fleshy, somewhat rounded drupe, green at first then white when ripe, up to 1/2 inch long.
Habitat/Ecology:
Occurs mainly in coastal dune and strands, disturbed tropical hammocks, and mangrove forests. Salt and wind tolerant along coastline; flowers and fruits year-round, but mostly from late spring to early fall. Displaces native vegetation along dune. Seeds eaten by pigeons and sea-birds.
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