Inkberry

USVI Native Plant

Scaevola plumieri

Scaevola plumieri on Perseverance beach, St. Thomas, USVI, 12 Jan 2020

While not common in the Virgin Islands, this shrub is found on tropical beaches throughout Africa and the Americas. It is the only species of this genus native to the region. Notice the fan-like petal arrangement that is typical of the genus. Shrubs such as this inkberry provide food for native animals and help to stabilize and protect the shoreline. This shrub was still blooming when we returned to the beach in June.

Scaevola plumieri on Perseverance beach, St. Thomas, USVI, 12 Jan 2020