Sesuvium portulacastrum

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Sea-purslane, Shoreline Seapurslane, Cenicilla

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.
Propagation:Division.
Availability:Native nurseries
Light: Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Aquatic ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry)
Moisture Tolerance: Aquatic ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation)
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.
Soil or other substrate:-
Soil pH:Calcareous (high pH)

Ecology

Wildlife:
Insects:
  

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.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8B 9A 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

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.