Halimione portulacoides
Encyclopedia
Halimione portulacoides or sea purslane (2n=36) is a small greyish-green shrub widely distributed in temperate Eurasia
and parts of Africa
. A halophyte
, it is found in salt marsh
es and coastal dune
s, and is usually flooded at high tide
.
The plant grows to 75 cm. It is evergreen
, and in northern temperate climates it flowers from July to September. The flowers are monoecious and are pollinated by wind.
The edible leaves can be eaten raw in salad
s or cooked as a potherb. They are thick and succulent with a crunchy texture and a natural saltiness.
(Co. Down).
Botanical synonyms include Atriplex portulacoides L. and Obione portulacoides (L.)Moq.
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
and parts of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. A halophyte
Halophyte
A halophyte is a plant that grows where it is affected by salinity in the root area or by salt spray, such as in saline semi-deserts, mangrove swamps, marshes and sloughs, and seashores. An example of a halophyte is the salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora . Relatively few plant species are...
, it is found in salt marsh
Salt marsh
A salt marsh is an environment in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and salt water or brackish water, it is dominated by dense stands of halophytic plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh...
es and coastal dune
Dune
In physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
s, and is usually flooded at high tide
High Tide
High Tide was a band formed in 1969 by Tony Hill , Simon House , Peter Pavli and Roger Hadden .-History:...
.
The plant grows to 75 cm. It is evergreen
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
, and in northern temperate climates it flowers from July to September. The flowers are monoecious and are pollinated by wind.
The edible leaves can be eaten raw in salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s or cooked as a potherb. They are thick and succulent with a crunchy texture and a natural saltiness.
Ireland
Copeland IslandsCopeland Islands
The Copeland Islands is a group of three islands in the north Irish Sea, north of Donaghadee, County Down, Northern Ireland consisting of Lighthouse, Mew and Copeland Island.-Area of Special Scientific Interest :...
(Co. Down).
Botanical synonyms include Atriplex portulacoides L. and Obione portulacoides (L.)Moq.