Shoreline Seapurslane
Sesuvium portulacastrum
- Native to:
- Aldabra, American Samoa, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Cayman Is., Chile, China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Colombia, Comoros, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Galápagos, Gambia, Ghana, Gilbert Is., Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Gulf States, Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Netherlands Antilles, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Niue, Norfolk Is., Northern Mariana Islands, Ogasawara-shoto, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Phoenix Is., Pitcairn Is., Puerto Rico, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra
Forest & Kim Starr (www.hear.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Aizoaceae
- Genus:
- Sesuvium
- Species:
- Sesuvium portulacastrum
- USDA Symbol:
- SEPO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Brephidium isophthalma
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, saline, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in coastal and saline environments
Propagation & Germination
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm, moist conditions without pretreatment.
Pre-treatment: Work in a shady area. Use clean 3" pots arranged in a tray with well-drained potting mix. Cut plants into desired lengths, at least 3 nodes per strand. No rooting hormone is needed. Fill the rest of the pot with potting mix. Water daily and keep cuttings in a moist humid environment by misting several times during the day.
Establishment: The plant is indigenous to Hawai'i and grows well in coastal habitats, rocky shores, sea cliffs, and salt marshes. It is highly salt-tolerant and can dominate saline habitats where few other species can survive.
Source: npn.rngr.net