Sea-purslane (Halimione portulacoides) is a plant of salt
marshes in England and western Scotland. It is a very hardy plant that can cope
with high salt concentration, strong winds and twice-daily inundation by the
sea.
Sea-purslane grows along the edges of muddy creeks and can
be distinguished by the silvery sheen of the scales on its leaves. These scales
contain air, as opposed to sap, and they protect the plant by acting as a
buffer to the leaves against salt water and the glare of the sun, thus
preventing them from drying out.
The stems of the plant sprawl at the base before turning
upwards. The plant can grow to 32 inches (80 centimetres) high. The leaves are
elliptical and untoothed.
Sea-purslane flowers from July to September. The yellow male
flowers appear in clusters. The female flowers have neither petals nor sepals.
© John Welford
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