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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Sesuvium portulacastrum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
nomenclatural synonym:(Portulacaceae) Portulaca portulacastrum
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Leaves - raw or cooked[301, 398]. An excellent vegetable[193]. A salty flavour and succulent texture[301]. The leaves have the acidulous flavour of sorrel (Rumex spp. And Oxalis spp.)[299]. Because they are very salty, they need repeated boiling in fresh water[299]. They can also be pickled[301
]. A good source of vitamin C[301]. The plant is harvested from the wild in many countries of the world and eaten as a vegetable[299
]. It is sometimes sold in local markets[398
].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The plant is used as a haemostatic. A decoction of the plant is considered the best antidote for stings of venomous fish; it should be applied externally for a long time[299
].
The leaves are said to be antiscorbutic[299
].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
The plant is sometimes cultivated as a ground cover to prevent erosion in dune vegetation[299
, 398
]. A pioneer sand-colonising plant that grows on the upper beach and seaward slope of the frontal dune or beach ridge. It traps and holds wind-blown sand and tends to form small ridges or mounds. It does not survive complete burial under wind-blown sand. It also grows well in more protected littoral locations, and it can be included in dune revegetation programmes[299]. Pollution control: potential for phytoremediation in heavy metal polluted sites. Ornamental groundcover. Revegetator for salty areas in the United Arab Emirates.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Sea purslane is a suberect, prostrate or creeping, succulent, perennial herb growing up to 30cm tall[299
]. The thick stems form roots at the nodes[299
]. Prefers a sunny position in well-drained sandy soil[299
]. The plant tolerates acidic and alkaline soils[299
]. Very tolerant of salty conditions[299
]. Established plants are very drought-tolerant [299
]. A low-maintenance plant, it needs no irrigation or fertilizer and serious diseases or pests are not known[299
].
Plants can become troublesome weeds in rice fields[398
].
Plants flower and fruit all year round[299
]. Each flower opens for only a few hours per day[299
].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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Plant Propagation
Seed. Rooted stem cuttings.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Sea-purslane, Shoreline Sea-purslane, Akulikuli, Beldroega-da-praia, Bossaha, Burunque, Cenicilla, Dampalit, Dhapa, Enhade, Erwi, Gelang laut, Gelang pasir, Haichau, Jadu palang, Krokot, Lonumagoo, Meerportulak, Nuntashak, Pourpier de mer, Sagu sagu, Samphire, Sepit-sepit, Sepit, Sesepit, Strandpostelein, Taraumpalit, Te boi, Uondgi, Van kiru valai, Vangarreddi kura, Vungaravasee, Vungaravasi. [1-4]
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America*, Chile, China, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies. [1-4]
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.
Plants can become troublesome weeds in rice fields[398
].
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Shoreline Purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum has most recently been assessed for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2020. Sesuvium portulacastrum is listed as Least Concern.
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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Author
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Botanical References
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