Sea purslane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sea purslane |
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Halimione portulacoides or sea purslane is a type of shrub that grows in coastal areas across Europe and Asia. It's well-known for being able to live in salty environments.
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What Sea Purslane Looks Like
This plant can grow up to about 75 centimeters (nearly 30 inches) tall. It stays green all year round, which means it's an evergreen plant. In cooler parts of the world, its flowers usually appear from July to September.
The flowers of sea purslane are quite interesting. Each plant has both male and female flower parts. This means it can produce seeds without needing a separate male or female plant. The wind helps to carry the pollen from one flower to another, allowing the plant to make new seeds.
Where Sea Purslane Grows
Sea purslane loves to live by the sea! You can find it along the coasts of western and southern Europe, and all the way from the Mediterranean Sea to western Asia.
Living in Salty Places
This plant is a special kind of plant called a halophyte. This means it is very good at growing in salty soil, like the soil found in salt marshes and coastal dunes. It can even survive when it gets covered by water during high tide.
Sea Purslane in Ireland
One place where you can find sea purslane in Ireland is on the Copeland Islands in County Down.
How People Use Sea Purslane
The leaves of sea purslane are actually edible, which means you can eat them! They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like other green vegetables. The leaves are thick and have a crunchy texture, and they naturally taste a bit salty.
Eating sea purslane is good for both people and animals. Its leaves contain important micronutrients. These are tiny amounts of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to stay healthy, such as zinc, iron, copper, and cobalt.
See also
In Spanish: Halimione portulacoides para niños
