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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
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, Roadside Tree / Palm, 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, Dry Soils / Drought, 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
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. |