Dwarf Naupaka / Center For Plant Conservation
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Plant Profile

Dwarf Naupaka (Scaevola coriacea)

This shot shows the succulent leaves of this plant, and a flower. Photo Credit: Dr. Gerald Carr
  • Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
  • Legal Status: Federally Endangered
  • Family: Goodeniaceae
  • State: HI
  • Nature Serve ID: 128200
  • Lifeform: Subshrub, Forb/herb
  • Date Inducted in National Collection: 02/10/1987
Description:

Scaevola coriacea is a low, flat-lying perennial herb in the goodenia family (Goodeniaceae). Its older stems are somewhat woody, and the leaves are relatively far apart, giving the plant a sparse appearance. The succulent leaves of this plant are oval- to spoon shaped and are smooth or somewhat scaly with rounded tips. The flowers occur in branched clusters from the point of leaf attachment in groups of one to three "half-flower" looking yellowish green, lobed flowers. Scaevola coriacea was historically found on 6 of the Hawaiian Islands but now only exists on Maui and two offshore islets with less than 300 individuals. Probably never very common, this species was listed as endangered in 1986.

Where is Dwarf Naupaka (Scaevola coriacea) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Scaevola coriacea usually occurs in relatively hot dry coastal sites on low, consolidated sand dunes near sea level (USFWS 1997) and (Wagner et al. 1999).

Distribution:

Maui and two offshore islets- Waiehu Pt., Kaupo, Mokeehia Islet, and Mokuhooniki Islet (USFWS 1997).

States & Provinces:

Dwarf Naupaka can be found in Hawaii

Which CPC Partners conserve Dwarf Naupaka (Scaevola coriacea)?

CPC's Plant Sponsorship Program provides long term stewardship of rare plants in our National Collection. We are so grateful for all our donors who have made the Plant Sponsorship Program so successful. We are in the process of acknowledging all our wonderful plant sponsorship donors on our website. This is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

Conservation Actions

Nature Serve Biotics
  • 05/02/2017

G1S1.2 This species has been recorded from the islands of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii. It is currently known only from Maui. Only about plants remain. Most of the remaining plants are in the suburbs of a major urban center on Maui. Portions of this population have been recently destroyed by development. Competition with alien plants also poses a threat.

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Development/subdivision encroachment. Human traffic. Small population size. Alien plants. Domestic cattle. (USFWS 1997, 2001)

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Waiehu Pt.-1 population, less than 300 plants. Kaupo- 1 population, 20 plants. Mokeehia Islet, 15 plants. Mokuhooniki Islet, 4-5 plants. (USFWS 1997) and (Wagner et al. 1999)

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Propagation by seed (USFWS 1997).

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Mokeehia and Mokuhooniki Islets are State bird sanctuaries; thus, the populations on those islets are protected. Presently cultivated at numerous sites in Hawai`i. (USFWS 1997).

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Weed control. Protection of existing wild populations from land development. Exclosures to protect from feral and wild ungulates. Outplanting. (USFWS 1997).

David Orr
  • 01/01/2010

Propagation. Genetic studies. Physiological studies. Seed banking and germplasm preservation. (USFWS 1997).

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Nomenclature
Taxon Scaevola coriacea
Authority Nutt.
Family Goodeniaceae
CPC Number 3835
ITIS 34773
USDA SCCO7
Duration Perennial
Common Names dwarf naupaka
Associated Scientific Names Scaevola coriacea
Distribution Maui and two offshore islets- Waiehu Pt., Kaupo, Mokeehia Islet, and Mokuhooniki Islet (USFWS 1997).
State Rank
State State Rank
Hawaii S1
Ecological Relationships

Photos
Newsletters
Pollinators
Common Name Name in Text Association Type Source InteractionID
Bees
Bees Confirmed Pollinator Link
Butterflies & Moths
Moth (with a long tongue) Confirmed Pollinator Link
Flies
Flies Confirmed Pollinator Link

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