Sesuvium verrucosum
Family: Aizoaceae
Plant Description: Perennial with ascending or sprawling stems to 45 cm long, commonly forming colonies by rhizomes. Leaves 1.5-4 cm long, oblanceolate, fleshy, opposite. Tepals 4-9 mm long, purple or rose-lavender on inner side.
Field Identification: Forms extensive low growth mats at the next elevation above the bay beach wash zone. Recognizable as vegetation color is similar to Sea Ox-eye Daisy, but a smaller, more delicate looking plant. Flowers are 5 petal starshaped individually arranged.
Plant Trivia: Sea Purslane (Portulacaeae) is NOT in the same family as Purslane (Aizoaceae).
Occurrence: Frequent on salty or brackish soils along the coast. Also grows on alkaline soils.
Bloom Period: March-December
Key to the Genus Sesuvium:
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Stamens 5…………………………………………………………………………………………………2
Stamens more than 5…………………………………………………………………………….3
2. Seeds rugose………………………………………………………….S. trianthemoides
Seeds smooth……………………………………………………………….S. maritimum
3. Stems rooting at nodes, stems mostly trailing..S. portulacastrum
Stems not rooting, branching mostly erect………………S. verrucosum
stxflora 