Native Plants of Hawai‘i - Scaevola gaudichaudiana

Scaevola gaudichaudiana

Goodeniaceae or Goodenia or Fanflower family

Synonyms: Scaevola chamissoniana var. pubescens, Scaevola ciliata, Scaevola ligustrifolia, Scaevola pubescens, Scaevola skottsbergii, Temminckia ciliata

Naupaka kuahiwi

Naupaka

Mountain naupaka

Natural Range & Environment

Naupaka kuahiwi grows in wet forest and open areas from about 170-800 m (558 to 2,625 ft) on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu [Wagner et al. 1990].

Scaevola gaudichaudiana fruit and flowers in the Koʻolau Mountains, Oʻahu, growing in part to full sun locations. In cultivation, as seen here, naupaka kuahiwi is doing very well as a companion plant with nehe (Wollastonia tenuifolia) and pōpoloʻaiakeakua (Solanum sandwicense). Overlooked by pig activity in the area, two natives, a naupaka kuahiwi and a koa seedling, begin their lives under the semi-shaded canopy of koa (Acacia koa). An uncommon purple-throated form of Scaevola gaudichaudiana growing with kanawao (Hydrangea arguta) in the Koʻolau Mountains.

Description

Naupaka kuahiwi typically spreads to a width of 8 to 10 feet. Its habit varies from small to very large shrubs in its native habitat. This species has fragrant white, or uncommonly purple, tubular flowers, which emit a delightful aroma. Some vivid descriptions of the scent liken it to the nostalgic fragrances of popular children's breakfast cereals, such as Trix® or Lucky Charms®. Additionally, the leaves of naupaka kuahiwi feature distinctive toothed margins, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

Growth Requirements

General

While Scaevola gaudichaudiana may not be as easy to cultivate and maintain in the landscape as some of its drier-growing relatives—such as S. coriacea, S. gaudichaudii, and S. taccada—it is not difficult to grow either. This species develops into a dense, well-formed shrub, thriving in the shade of taller trees and shrubs. It is common for gardeners to plant coastal naupaka kahakai on the makai (ocean) side of the house and naupaka kuahiwi on the mauka (mountain) side, creating a harmonious landscape that reflects the natural environment.

Naupaka kuahiwi thrives in moist environments but is also capable of withstanding wetter conditions with the addition of black cinder for good soil drainage. It flourishes best in partial shade, particularly during the midday and afternoon hours, requiring approximately half a day of sunlight. In areas with cloudy or rainy weather, this plant can successfully adapt to full sun exposure [Nagata 1992]. Our experience has been that the wetter growing mountain species of naupaka kuahiwi have more sensitive needs in the landscape than the dry or coastal growing naupaka and require additional care and monitoring after outplanting. Still, all species are worth growing, and microclimates can be made to accommodate each species' requirements. Naupaka kuahiwi is probably not tolerant of salty environments and excessive heat [Nagata 1992]. These shrubs do well planted with its natural companion plants such as koa, ʻahakea, ʻōhiʻa, kōpiko, ʻiliahi, māmaki, and hāpuʻu.

Pests and Diseases

Naupaka kuahiwi is prone to ants, scale, aphids and mealy bugs. Slugs and alien snails may harm young plants, but usually do not infest larger ones. Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for ways to deal with each of these pests.

Uses

Ancient Hawaiian

The fruits of naupaka kuahiwi produced a purplish black dye [Krauss 1993, Neal 1965]. The fragrant flowers were used in lei making [McDonald & Weissich 2003].

Modern

Special Features and Information

General

Nine of the ten species of Scaevola spp. are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and belong to the Goodenia family, or Goodeniaceae. Scaevola gaudichaudiana is known to hybridize with Scaevola mollis where their ranges overlap. The hybrid is known as Scaevola x cerasifolia. It is a beautiful naupaka sharing the desirable qualities of each parent.

Hawaiian Origin Stories for the Naupaka Flower

(from In Gardens of Hawai‘i by Marie C. Neal, 1965)

The legend of the naupaka flower, though of recent origin, is one of the best-known of Hawaii. It has several variants. Two lovers quarreled, and the maiden tore a naupaka flower in two and declared she would not love her old sweetheart again until he should bring to her a perfect flower. He searched in vain all over the islands for these flowers, whether they grew on the seashore, on the plains, or in the mountains, had become but half flowers. And it is said that he died of a broken heart.

Another story tells of a beautiful stranger who fell in love with a village youth. When he turned from her and went back to his sweetheart, the beautiful woman followed him and tore him from her embrace. Anger blazed about the woman, and they knew that she was Pele, goddess of volcanoes. She pursued the youth into the mountains, hurling lava after him. Then the gods took pity on him and transformed him into a half flower, the naupaka. Pele shrieked with rage and fled on a river of lava to the ocean. She overtook the maid, whom the gods turned into a beach naupaka. The lovers are forever separated, for the half flowers of the youth still bloom alone in the mountains, and the half flowers of the maiden blossom alone on the beach.

Supposedly, to add a happy ending to the sad story above, you must hike up into the mountains, pick a flower from a naupaka kuahiwi, and quickly hike back down to the ocean. There, you should pick a flower from a naupaka kahakai and press the two flowers together, thus rejoining the village youth and his sweetheart.

Hawaiian Name

Naupaka kuahiwi means "naupaka of the mountains." Six upland species of Scaevola share the Hawaiian name naupaka kuahiwi.

Etymology

Scaevola is derived from the Greek word scaevus, meaning "left-handed" or "awkward," likely a reference to its unusual half-flower appearance [Wagner et al. 1990]. The specific epithet gaudichaudiana 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 [St. John & Titcomb 1983].

Do you find yourself confused by the names Scaevola gaudichaudiana and S. gaudichaudii? If so, you are not alone. To help differentiate between these two botanical names, consider this mnemonic technique that has proven effective for me (Eickhoff).

Visualize a distinct flower for each species (you may refer to the accompanying photo examples). Next, focus on the last letter of each species name. For gaudichaudiana, think of the letter 'a' as resembling the broad, rounded shape of its flower. (use this type of "a", instead of this "a"). In contrast, associate the letter 'i' in gaudichaudii with the narrow shape of its flower. Emphasizing the shape of the letters rather than the letters themselves can aid in retention.

Of course, you may have your own strategies for remembering these names, and whatever method works best for you is valid.

Maybe the bigger question we need to be asking is why were these two species both named after one man in the first place?

DWE