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coastal inkberry
ExplorePlants
coastal inkberry
Scaevola plumieri
Coastal inkberry is a fun plant that grows near the beach! It has shiny green leaves and pretty white flowers that look like little fans. This plant helps keep the sand in place and is great for the beach environment.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The coastal inkberry is a sprawling, low-growing shrub with thick, shiny, light green leaves. It produces small, white, fan-shaped flowers that develop into distinctive round, black, berry-like fruits, giving it its common name.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyGoodeniaceaeGenusScaevola
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its name, the "berries" of the inkberry are actually dry, fleshy drupes!
Its fruits are tiny, black, and resemble drops of ink, giving the plant its name!
Many shorebirds rely on its dark, "inky" fruits as a vital food source.
This resilient plant grows on sunny beaches across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide!
Special abilities
Ability
Salt Shield
Coastal inkberry can thrive near the ocean because its thick, succulent leaves help it store water and resist salty winds.
Ability
Sand Anchor
Its long, creeping stems and roots spread out, firmly gripping loose sand to help prevent beach erosion.
Ability
Water Wisdom
Coastal inkberry has fleshy leaves that store precious water, helping it survive long dry spells in sunny, sandy habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-200 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-Fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Its dark berries provide a food source for this bird.
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Honey bees visit its fan-shaped flowers for nectar.
eats
Leafcutter Ant
Atta cephalotes
Ants can harvest its leaves for their fungus gardens.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always stay on paths and don't touch plants without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is coastal inkberry?
50-200 cm
How wide does coastal inkberry spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on coastal inkberry?
1-2 cm
When does coastal inkberry bloom?
Summer-Fall
Is coastal inkberry edible?
No
Is coastal inkberry toxic?
None
What is coastal inkberry's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is coastal inkberry pollinated?
Insect
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