Common Name: Sea Purslane

General Information

Sesuvium portulacastrum is a suberect, prostrate or creeping, succulent, perennial herb, growing up to 30cm tall[]. The thick stems form roots at the nodes[].
The plant is harvested from the wild in many countries of the world and eaten as a vegetable[]. It is sometimes sold in local markets[]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental and as a ground cover to prevent erosion in dune vegetation[].
Plants can become troublesome weeds in rice fields[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Widespread in Tropical and Subtropical regions of the world, especially in the Americas also in Africa, southern Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands

Habitat

Coastal dunes and beaches[]. Maritime shores at about high water-level, in saline beach-dunes in the littoral, marshes, lagoons and disturbed locations in coastal areas[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained sandy soil[]. The plant tolerates acidic and alkaline soils[]. Very tolerant of salty conditions[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. A low-maintenance plant, it needs no irrigation or fertilizer and serious diseases or pests are not known[].
Plants flower and fruit all year round[]. Each flower opens for only a few hours per day[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. An excellent vegetable[]. A salty flavour and succulent texture[]. The leaves have the acidulous flavour of sorrel (Rumex spp., and Oxalis spp.)[]. Because they are very salty, they need repeated boiling in fresh water[]. They can also be pickled[]. A good source of vitamin C[].

Medicinal

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[].

The leaves are said to be antiscorbutic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes cultivated as a ground cover to prevent erosion in dune vegetation[, ]. 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[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed.
Rooted stem cuttings.

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