Friends of the Environment Abaco, Bahamas | ||||||
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Invasive Hawaiian Seagrape | ||
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There is an invasive plant rapidly spreading across Abaco. It is the Hawaiian Seagrape (A.K.A.- Hawaiian Half Flower, Beach Napuka, Scaevola taccada, S. sericea, S. frutescens). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hawaiian Seagrape planted on purpose in our yards and resorts is rapidly spreading from these more populated areas such as Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay and Hope Town to remote beaches and unpopulated area throughout the Abacos. Hawaiian Seagrape is confirmed to be growing on the Pelican Cays, Johnny’s Cay, Whale Cay and many beaches of Great Abaco south of Marsh Harbour. The berries from our yards and resorts have floated to these beaches and they have established themselves and they are rapidly spreading. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Hawaiian Seagrape, due to its heartiness and lush green leaves, is currently very popular as a landscape plant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It grows quickly, is salt tolerant, and spreads rapidly. This rapid spreading is creating thickets along our coastlines and out-competing and killing our native plants. It is displacing Sea Oats, Sea Lavender, Inkberry, Mangroves and numerous other plants in Abaco. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Choosing the wrong plants can actually have a devastating effect on wildlife, biodiversity, water resources and our coastlines!! Consider when you are planting what effect your plantings will have on the natural environment that you are introducing them into. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
These displaced plants are essential to our beaches to stabilize erosion and there is no telling the effect it may have on our native Bahamian wildlife such as birds, crabs, lizards or our fish nurseries when the Hawaiian Seagrape takes over our mangroves and wetlands. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Be A "FRIEND" To Abaco's Beautiful Environment | ||
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