Seeplakkie

Name

Seeplakkie

Latin Name

Scaevola plumieri

Habitat

Stabilises shifting sands with its extensive roots, building small hillocks. The thick waxy layer on its leaves reduces water loss.

Description : A small, evergreen, woody shrub with clusters of tough, waxy, oval leaves. Flowers small, white, fan-shaped. Fruits small and berry-like, purple when ripe. Size: Leaves 40 mm, shrub 1 m tall. Similar Species: Salsola nollothensis (Port Nolloth northwards) is the most important creator of hummock dunes on the arid Namibian coast. Confronted with water shortage, salt spray, heat and shifting sands, it has a tough, woody stem with pink twigs, and tiny, tightly-packed, silvery leaves.