Assignment/exercise
UniSC Plant Profile - Goodeniaceae, Scaevola calendulaceae
University of the Sunshine Coast
2023
Appears in UniSC Plant Profiles
Abstract
Scaevola calendulacea, is a multi-stemmed sprawling herb to 30cm tall. It can spread and cover large areas of dunes and is found on all the Moreton Bay sand islands and along the Queensland, NSW, and Victoria coasts (Queensland Museum, 2003). The genus, Scaevola, is named after Gaius Scaevola who, after capture by the Etruscans, placed his hand into a fire to display his bravery. As the unique fan flowers of this genus resemble the shape of a hand, it was named in his honour (Haslam, 2020). S. calendulacea has alternate, succulent, fleshy leaves to 8cm with appressed fine hairs. Bright blue, distinctive fan shaped flowers appear in a terminal umbel for most of the year (PlantNET, 1992). S. calendulacea produces edible fruits from August-November. The fruit is a green berry that darkens to purple and black as it ripens. The fruit has a mild sweet and salty taste. The fruit is also eaten by birds, who in turn, disperse the seeds (Queensland Museum, 2003). S. calendulacea plays an important role in the stabilisation of sand dunes. The low sprawling nature of this species along with its matted roots, help hold the sand in place and prevent erosion (Alexander, 1992). Stabilisation of coastal dunes creates habitats for native fauna and helps to prevent flooding during large storms. Furthermore, during times of nature erosion, the dunes can restore the beaches (Mackay Regional Council, 2017).
Details
- Title
- UniSC Plant Profile - Goodeniaceae, Scaevola calendulaceae
- Authors
- Rebecca Russell - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Location
- Latitude: -27.269 Longitude: 152.981; UniSC Moreton Bay Campus, on the corner of Bribie Circuit and Stradbroke Place.
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date collected
- 25-Mar-2023
- Date published
- 2023
- Copyright note
- (c) The Author. Reproduced with permission.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991093995402621
- Output Type
- Assignment/exercise; Plant Profile Sheet
- Teaching and Learning
- ENS221; Plant Diversity and Ecology
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