Scaevola Species, Inkberry, Beachberry, Gullfeed, Half Flower, Waxy Bush

Beachberry, Inkberry, Gullfeed, Half Flower or Waxy Bush (Scaevola plumieri) is a small to medium shrub native to the beaches, dunes, bar...Read Morerier islands and coastal scrub habitats and oceanfront natural sandy beaches and natural dune habitats from coastal central Florida from Brevard County on the east coast and Pinellas and Hillsborough and Pasco counties in the Tampa Bay area on the west coast southward along both coasts southward through the Keys and the rest of the state (zones 9a to 11). It is also found in the Caribbean. It is a highly salt-tolerant native plant great for oceanfront landscaping and provides food for wildlife such as birds, which help disperse the seeds of this plant (hence one of the common names, Gullfeed) to other areas along with ocean currents, which also disperse the seeds to sandy shores and dunes along the coasts where they sprout and grow. The plant has a slow to medium growth rate. It is very attractive and useful to wildlife such as birds and has very nice, small whitish flowers that are only one-half of a normal flower (hence the name Half Flower, which is unique to the genus Scaevola, or Half Flowers). They are very attractive. Sadly, this plant is listed as threatened by the state of Florida as it's coastal beach and dune habitats continue to be destroyed and encroached upon by development. Because of that, protection of these coastal habitats is critical to preserve this and many other plant species which protect Florida's coastlines by having root systems that prevent erosion of shorelines (valuable native plant examples are Sea Oats and Railroad Vines). Many other plant and some animal species are endemic to coastal habitats and are listed as threatened or endangered by the encroachment of increasing development upon these valuable and important ecosystems to Florida. Another threat to this plant is the invasion of it's habitat in central and southern Florida by a very similar species of the same genus that is a Category One (FLEPPC) invasive introduced pest in Florida, Beach Naupaka or Half Flower (Scaevola taccada var. sericea), which forms dense thickets crowding out valuable native dune vegetation and threatened or endangered plant species such as Inkberry, Beachberry or Gullfeed (Scaevola plumieri). Efforts should be made to control this exotic pest in Florida, where it is found throughout coastal central and southern Florida and the Keys and is also as a pest in many tropical and subtropical coastal areas worldwide (including the Bahamas and Caribbean), as well as prserve the Inkberry's valuable coastal habitats!

MORE FACTS - Highly salt-tolerant. Very similar to the exotic pest Beach Naupaka (Scaevola taccada var. sericea). Found in coastal dunes and beaches and coastal habitats in central and southern Florida, the Keys, and the Caribbean. Listed as threatened by the state of Florida due to habitat destruction and rapid development of coastal areas, giving rise to condominiums and residental developments. Native to the U.S., where it is found mainly or only in Florida. A great native plant for wildlife and birds in coastal, salty, oceanfront situations. Drought-tolerant and suitable for oceanfront wildlife-benefiting native plant xeriscaping with other salt-tolerant, wildlife-benefiting, native species of Florida's coastal habitats and dunes such as Saw Palmetto, Sea Oats, Railroad Vine, Seacoast Marshelder, Beach or Dune Sunflower, Beach Morning Glory, and Sea Lavender (although difficult to propagate), as well as with many other valuable native dune-holding or salt-tolerant, native, xeriscaping, wildlife-benefiting species. The blackish berries of Inkberry provide food for wildlife such as gulls and seabirds (hence one of the common names, Gullfeed).

FL - Threatened