Scaevola gaudichaudii

Description:

Naupaka kuahiwi or Ridgetop naupaka GoodeniaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsSeeds for this plant originally come from the northern Waianae Mountains, OahuOahu (Cultivated)Early Hawaiians used the fruits of naupaka kuahiwi to produce a purplish black dye.EtymologyThe generic name Scaevola is derived from the Greek scaevus, left-handed or awkward, perhaps in reference to the "awkward" appearance of the "half flower."The specific epithet gaudichaudii is named after the French botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupr (1789-1854) who made several contributions to the knowledge of Hawaiian flora during his voyages to the islands.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Scaevola_gaudichaudii