Halimione portulacoides Sea Purslane PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Chenopodiaceae. Modern classifications include it within the Amaranthaceae.

Physical Characteristics

Halimione portulacoides is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Atriplex portulacoides. Obione portulacoides.

Plant Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw in salads or cooked as a potherb[5, 8, 12, 183]. Thick and succulent with a good crunchy texture and a natural saltiness[183, K]. They need careful washing when collected from the wild[52].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in poor soils, saline soils and a sunny position. Tolerates light shade and maritime exposure.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. The seed germinates from winter onwards. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[K]. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine (Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia, South Africa (Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, North-West, Western Cape)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Aellen.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Halimione portulacoides - (L.)Aellen.