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Scaevola taccada

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Scaevola taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb.

Family Name: Goodeniaceae
Synonyms: Scaevola sericea, Dampiera taccada, Scaevola frutescens
Common Name: Ambung-ambung, Merambung, Pelampung, Sea Lettuce, Sea Lettuce Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby
Maximum Height 2 m to 10 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Madagascar, Southeast Asia (including Singapore), to tropical Australia, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Hawaii
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Coastal Cliff, Backshore, Sandy Beach, Rocky Beach)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall.
Foliage Its alternate, shortly-stalked leaves have fleshy leaf blades that are mostly reverse egg-shaped, and 8–26 by 2.5–10 cm.
Flowers Its pale yellow or white flowers are 2–2.5 cm long, and arranged in 8 cm-wide clusters.
Fruit Its round, fleshy fruits ripen from green to white, and are 8–13 by 10–15 mm. They also contain 1–2 seeds within a stone that is 8 mm wide.
Habitat It grows along rocky and sandy beaches, on coastal cliffs and sandstone hills.
Associated Fauna Its flowers are pollinated by bees, and fruits are eaten by birds.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed or stem cutting.
Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: It is used medicinally including treatment for asthma, beri-beri, cancer, dysentery, ear ache, eye infections, indigestion, malaria, skin abcesses, ailments or sores, syphilis, or tuberculosis for poulticing for headaches, an antidote for poisonous fish or crab, for contraception in women, and many others.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It has attractive, light green foliage and a compact shape. It also flowers and fruits throughout the year. This plant is suitable as a hedge, screen, or even ground cover with pruning.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form
Landscape Uses Coastal, General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Beachfront / Shoreline, Flowerbed / Border

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Bird-Attracting (Fruits), Bee-Attracting
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Fast
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Drought Tolerant, Moist Soils, Easy to Grow
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Air-Layering

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate, Spiral
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Rounded
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White, Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Bilateral

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) White
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Drupe

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1138
Species ID 2431
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 15 February 2022.
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