Halimione portulacoides

Halimione portulacoides, commonly known as sea purslane,[1] is a shrub found in Eurasia.

Halimione portulacoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Halimione
Species:
H. portulacoides
Binomial name
Halimione portulacoides

Description

The plant grows to 75 centimetres (30 inches) in height. It is evergreen, and in northern temperate climates it flowers from July to September. The flowers are monoecious and are pollinated by wind.

Taxonomy

Botanical synonyms include Atriplex portulacoides L. and Obione portulacoides (L.) Moq. Recent phylogenetic research revealed that Halimione is a distinct genus and cannot be included in Atriplex.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Halimione portulacoides occurs at the sea shores of western and southern Europe, and from the Mediterranean Sea to western Asia.[3] A halophyte, it is found in salt marshes and coastal dunes, and is usually flooded at high tide.

Ireland

Copeland Islands (County Down).

Uses

The edible leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a potherb. They are thick and succulent with a crunchy texture and a natural saltiness.[4] The leaves are good for human and animal health as they contain important micronutrients like zinc, iron, copper, and cobalt.[5]

References
  1. David Chapman (2008). Exploring the Cornish Coast. Penzance: Alison Hodge. p. 78. ISBN 9780906720561.
  2. Kadereit G, Mavrodiev EV, Zacharias EH, Sukhorukov AP (October 2010). "Molecular phylogeny of Atripliceae (Chenopodioideae, Chenopodiaceae): Implications for systematics, biogeography, flower and fruit evolution, and the origin of C4 photosynthesis". American Journal of Botany. 97 (10): 1664–87. doi:10.3732/ajb.1000169. PMID 21616801.
  3. Uotila P, Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen (2011). "Chenopodiaceae (pro parte majore)". Euro+Med Plantbase - the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity. Retrieved 2012-12-14.
  4. "Halimione portulacoides Sea Purslane PFAF Plant Database". pfaf.org.
  5. Zanella L, Vianello F (October 2020). "Functional Food from Endangered Ecosystems: Atriplex portulacoides as a Case Study". Foods. 9 (11): 1533. doi:10.3390/foods9111533. PMC 7692200. PMID 33114436.
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