In the Garden

Rick Barboza

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HUI KU MAOLI OLA

Naupaka papa
(dwarf naupaka)

Scaevola coriacea

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Nuapaka papa is a slow-growing prostrate ground cover with succulent leaves and flowers that look as if they've been cut in half, with petals forming on only one side. These flowers eventually form small black fruit.

Distribution: This endangered plant was formerly on all the main islands, except Kahoolawe, but is now restricted to small populations on Maui and Molokai.

Cultural uses: No known record.

Landscape uses and care: It's a great accent plant around rocks, or if enough are planted, it looks great as a ground cover although it doesn't spread very fast.

Tasty tidbit: This species of naupaka has both mountain and coastal species characteristics.

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Rick Barboza co-owns Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a native Hawaiian plant nursery, with Matt Schirman. Contact him at 259-6580 or e-mail rickbarboza@hawaii.rr.com. "In the Garden" is a Friday feature.

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