Sea purslane
Sesuvium portulacastrum, Fam. Aizoaceae
Succulent herb which spreads along the ground, rooting at the nodes, stems tinged red by a pigment produced in response to environmental stress.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover) |
| Family: | Aizoaceae |
| Leaf: | Succulent, opposite, narrowly elliptic, glabrous, 3-7 x 0.8-1.2cm with stem clasping bases. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Purple, Pink |
| Flower description: | Usually solitary, pink to purple, star like flowers. Most months of the year. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Brown, ovoid, about 6mm long. |
| Habitat: | Beach scrub, beach strand, coastal dune, saltmarsh. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, New Guinea, Melanesia, Pacific Islands, America. |
| Food source for: | Nectar eaten by the varied honeyeater. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea, Melanesia, Pacific Islands, America. |
| Notes: | Edible raw or cooked, but may cause some irritation in the throat. It was one of the plants eaten by Cook's party while the 'Endeavour' was being repaired at Endeavour River in north Queensland. In Java and northern Africa it has been harvested as a vegetable and is said to make an excellent substitute for spinach. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia. |
