Sea purslane
Sesuvium portulacastrum
Family Aizoaceae - emergent vegetation
Distinguishing Characteristics |
Emergent vegetation, main stem spreading, creeping, forming mats low to the ground; main stem viny, not rooted, lies flat on the ground; secondary branches arise off main stem; main stem and branches sometimes reddish; leaves thick, succulent (fleshy), narrow, green, linear or club-shaped, arranged in clusters at nodes, tapering at the base to a short petiole; flowers pink to purple, usually in axil of leaves, stalked. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the maritime saltwort, Batis maritima, but the saltwort leaves are usually arranged oppositely on stems and its "flowers" are fleshy and cone-shaped. It also does not have reddish stems. |
Habitat |
Dunes, Salt marshes, sand flats, mangrove swamps |
Maximum Size |
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Other Common Names |
sesuvium |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |