Texas Wildbuds
Sesuvium portulacastrum
(Shoreline Sea-purslane)
Sesuvium portulacatrum, Mustang Island State Park, Nueces Co. 6772
Sesuvium portulacastrum, Mustang Island State Park, Nueces Co. 6787
Sesuvium portulacastrum, Mustang Island State Park, Nueces Co. 6779
Sesuvium portulacastrum, Mustang Island State Park, Nueces Co. 6778
Sesuvium portulacastrum, Mustang Island State Park, Nueces Co. 7686
| Scientific Name | Sesuvium portulacastrum | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SEPO2 |
| Common Name | Shoreline Sea-purslane, Cenicilla | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19910 |
| Family | Aizoaceae (Carpet-weed)) | SEINet Reference. |
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| Description | Habitat: Dunes and beaches along the Gulf Coast. Plant: Prostrate succulent perennial with much-branched stems rooting at the leaf nodes, often forming large mats up to 6+ ft. across. Leaves: Fleshy blades, opposite, oblanceolate to elliptic-ovate, up to 2-1/4 inches long and 1 inch wide, tapering to a clasping base. Inflorescence: Small solitary flowers about 1/2-inch wide on pedicels up to 3/4-inch long arising from leaf axils; no petals; 5 calyx lobes are pink-purple on the inside surfaces, ovate to lanceolate with a green "horn" at the tips; many (~30) stamens with purple anthers surrounding pistil, ovary and styles. Bloom Period: Year-round. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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