Shoreline sea-purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum, Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1058 (1759))

Family: Aizoaceae

Author: (L.) L.

Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1058 (1759)

Year: 1759

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sesuvium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Shoreline sea-purslane, known scientifically as Sesuvium portulacastrum, is a remarkable plant thriving in the lush environments of the tropics and subtropics. This resilient species is part of the Aizoaceae family, known for its hardy members that often flourish in challenging coastal habitats.

First classified by Carl Linnaeus in the historical publication “Systema Naturae” in the 10th edition, volume 2, page 1058, in the year 1759, shoreline sea-purslane continues to be of significant interest due to its unique ecological role and adaptive characteristics. The plant typically inhabits coastal regions, spreading across sandy beaches, salt flats, and marshes, where its robust structure helps stabilize sand dunes and protect against soil erosion.

Sesuvium portulacastrum exhibits fleshy, succulent leaves that are highly efficient in conserving water, making it well-suited to saline and arid conditions. These leaves are often a lush green, sometimes displaying hints of reddish hues, adding a splash of color to the otherwise stark coastal landscapes. The plant’s small, star-shaped flowers are typically pink or purple, attracting various pollinators and contributing to the biodiversity of its habitat.

Apart from its ecological importance, shoreline sea-purslane has also garnered attention for its potential uses in traditional medicine and culinary applications. In certain cultures, it has been valued for its purported ability to treat a range of ailments, while its leaves can be eaten either raw or cooked, offering a source of hydration and nutrients.

Despite its numerous benefits, Sesuvium portulacastrum is sometimes considered a weed in managed coastal environments, where its vigorous growth can pose challenges for other plant species. Nonetheless, its contribution to the coastal defense and habitat formation underscores its importance in natural ecosystems.

Shoreline sea-purslane exemplifies the resilience and versatility of plants adapted to life at the interface of land and sea. Its study not only deepens our understanding of coastal ecology but also highlights the intricate balance within these dynamic environments.

Common Names

Msa: beremi laut
Deu: meerportulak
Heb: shlashi raglani, שלשי רגלני
Por: beldro-da-praia, beldroega-da-praia, beldroega-miúda, capim-salgado, vídrio
Eng: cencilla, sea-purslane, shoreline sea-purslane, shoreline seapurslane, shoreline purslane, sea purslane, seaside purslane
Spa: cencilla
Fra: pourpier de mer
Jpn: ミルスベリヒユ
En: Shoreline sea-purslane, Sea-purslane, Shoreline seapurslane, Cencilla, Shoreline Purslane, Sea Purslane, Seaside purslane, Cenicilla, Shore purslane
Zh: Hai ma chi
Fr: Pourpier de mer
De: Meerportulak
He: Shlashi raglani, שלשי רגלני
Ja: ミルスベリヒユ
Ms: Beremi laut
Pt: Beldroega-da-praia, Beldro-da-praia, Beldroega-miúda, Capim-salgado, Vídrio
Es: Cencilla

Synonyms

• Halimus portulacastrum ((L.) Kuntze)
• Portulaca portulacastrum (L.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Aldabra (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Chile North (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Christmas I. (native)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Line Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maldives (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marquesas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Mozambique Channel I (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Niue (native)
• Norfolk Is. (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Ogasawara-shoto (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Phoenix Is. (native)
• Pitcairn Is. (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Somalia (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Tuamotu (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Wake I. (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Oct 26, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Shivam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2015 by EOL − Nick Block (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Jana Balejko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2021 by Franzoia Leonardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by Mathieu Le Sauce (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2019 by annette annette (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2019 by jeff jeff (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 30, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Landing DIBA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2019 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Maria Brenkman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 11, 2012 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Nov 25, 2022 by DCC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Gabriel Ollivier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2019 by daniela thommen (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 5, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2013 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084883)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:235145-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth