Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

sea-purslane, shoreline seapurslane, cenicilla

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Sesuvium portulacastrum

Family:

Aizoaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

.3-.5 ft tall by wide-spreading ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink,lavender

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Evergreen. Succulent. Blooms year round.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a groundcover in moist coastal settings.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Division.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Aquatic ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies

Nectar plant for Miami blue ( Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri ) butterflies (USFWS, Federal Register, 2011-08-10 )





Attracts native bees including metallic bees.

Native Habitats:

Coastal forests, coastal dunes.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

The succulent leaves are edible and somewhat salty.

General Comments:

An important sand stabilizer in the pioneer zone of beach dunes and can tolerate occasional flooding by sea water.