Scaevola gaudichaudii is a shrub reaching heights of 0.5–1(–1.5) meters. Its leaves are simple and alternate, with oblanceolate blades measuring 3–7 cm long and 1–2 cm wide. The leaf apex is broadly acute with an acuminate base, and surfaces are glabrous. Margins are slightly toothed on the distal half, and petioles can be up to 1 cm long without stipules. The plant features solitary flowers or occasionally 2–3 in cymes up to 30 mm long, supported by 2–15 mm long peduncles. These flowers are bisexual, strongly irregular, and emit a strong fragrance. The calyx is minute and 5-parted, while the corolla is funnelform–unilabiate and 5–5-parted, with an adaxially split tube that is brownish yellow or sometimes pinkish. The corolla tube measures 10–15 mm long, with lanceolate lobes that are 8–10 mm long. The stamens are roughly as long as the corolla tube, and the ovary is inferior and ovoid, leading to a 2-celled drupaceous fruit that is dark purplish black, ovoid, 5–6 mm long, and 2–3 mm wide. The seeds are numerous and contain oily endosperm. It is typically found on dry ridges and flats within open shrubland and forests between 75-800 meters.
Bean-shaped (Reniform): Resembling the shape of a kidney or bean.
Square or Oblong: Angular shape with all sides more or less equal or longer than wide.
Triangular: Three-sided shape, broadest below the middle.
Elliptic: Rounded at both ends. shaped like an ellipse or oval.
Ovate or Obovate: egg-shaped, broader at one end.
Linear: Extremely long and narrow, with sides usually parallel.
Round: Appears circular, with length and width roughly the same.
Cardioid (Heart-Shaped): One edge has a prominent double curve into two lobes.
Cylindrical: A cylinder with parallel sides and a circular cross-section.
Discoid: Resembling a disc or plate with two relatively flat surfaces.
Fusiform: Spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends.
Globose: Spherical.
Lenticular: Resembling a lens with two convex surfaces.
Ovoid: Egg-shaped.
Plano-convex: Having a flat ventral (planar) surface and a curved dorsal (convex) surface.
Polygonal: Having more than three flat faces meeting at angles.
Sectoroid: Resembling a segment of an orange with two relatively flat faces and one curved face.
Subglobose/ellipsoid: Inflated shape but less than spherical.
Trigonous: Having three faces that meet at a distinct angle; triangular in cross-section.
Endangered species (E) are species that are so rare they’re in danger of becoming extinct.
Threatened species (T) are species that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
Species of Concern (SOC) are species about which there are some concerns regarding status and threats, but insufficient information is available to list the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) is a state status for rare plants that focuses its efforts on species that have fewer than 50 remaining wild individuals.
Orthodox seeds (desiccation-tolerant): can be dried to an internal seed moisture of less than 12% water and stored at freezing temperatures.
Intermediate seeds (temperature-sensitive) tend to age faster than orthodox seeds and may have only a 5-year lifespan when stored at -20°C. They are recommended for storage at 5°C.
Recalcitrant seeds (desiccation-sensitive): cannot be stored in a conventional freezer as they cannot survive after drying and/or freezing at -20°C. They are recommended for cryopreservation storage.