Sesuoium portulacastrum (L.) L. f. albiflorum Kayama, J. Phytogeogr.

Bohley, Katharina, Winter, Pieter J. D. & Kadereit, Gudrun, 2017, Data from: A revision of Sesuvium (Aizoaceae, Sesuvioideae), Data in brief 48 (1), pp. 109071-109071 : 139-141

Sesuoium portulacastrum (L.) L. f. albiflorum Kayama, J. Phytogeogr. Taxon. 56(1): 36 (35, Fig. 1). 2008.

— TYPE: JAPAN. The Ryukyus: Okinawa Island, Yonabaru-cho, 5 Jun 2007, K. Kayama s. n. (holotype: RYU).

Erect or procumbent and creeping perennial herb; internodes terete, up to 5 mm in diam, succulent, glabrous and green to reddish brown; sometimes with prominent root primordia at nodes; roots develop easily when contact to soil is established; bladder cells apparently absent to slightly bulging. Leaves elliptic to lanceolate, up to 70 mm long, often shorter; leaf base attenuate; petioles short (2–3 mm), with translucent pseudostipules; succulence of leaves very plastic and depending on current growing conditions, even within a single plant. Flowers 5–12 mm long, most often (pale) pink, rarely white, sometimes reported to be blue, yellow, or red on herbarium labels; subsessile or with pedicels up to 15 mm long. Stamens numerous. Ovary glabrous and pale yellow; with 3–5 carpels and 3–5 thin long styles; weak scent and production of nectar during anthesis. Fruit ± ovoid or beehive-shaped, many-seeded capsules. Seeds ∼ 0.7–1 mm long, rounded-reniform, black, smooth, lustrous and slightly iridescent.

Distribution and Habitat — Distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical zones between approximately 35°N and 42°S ( Fig. 10). The limiting factor seems to be the occurrence and duration of frost ( Lonard and Judd 1997). The main habitats are coastal areas where the plants grow on beaches and adjacent dunes, but it also occurs in disturbed areas. The species is occasionally found farther inland and in those cases appears to follow rivers. Optimal growth rates are only reached on saline soils ( Messedi et al. 2004), but the plant is also found in non-saline habitats.

Notes — The species apparently flowers throughout the year, given enough light. Weak scent and production of nectar during anthesis were observed. Germination success and the establishment of seedlings are reported to be poor ( Lonard and Judd 1997), but the species is capable of vegetative propagation. In its dynamic coastal habitats, fragments of the plant are easily ripped off by the surf and can float in sea water for weeks without losing their ability to grow when washed up on shore ( Lonard and Judd 1997). This way the species is easily dispersed by sea currents and grows as a pioneer on beaches and dunes. In addition, plants root at the nodes as soon as contact with soil is established, often forming belt-like patches. Seedlings show simple, entire, succulent cotyledons.

Besides its use as fodder plant or vegetable, S. portulacastrum is also cultivated as an ornamental and planted for dune stabilization. The species is also used to restore polluted soil, as it has high above ground biomass production even on highly saline soil and shows high resistance to toxic metals ( Mariem et al. 2014).

Future studies may show that this polymorphic species consists of several subspecies or cryptic species. However, a formal subdivision must await a detailed molecular and morphological study at the population level.

Vernacular Names — Sea purslane, Cencilla, Pourpier.

Representative Specimens Examined — ANGOLA. Namibe: Cabo Negro, on dunes, ca. 15°40′00.0012″S, 11°58′59.9988″E, 15 Apr 1973, P. Bamps et al. 4522 (WAG).

ARGENTINA. Buenos Aires: Miramar, ca. 38°18′57.8520″S, 57°54′ 54.4140″W, 23–27 Feb 1930, A. Cscalo & A. L. Cabrera 35 (LP). Chaco: (Amoyo) Guaycurú, ca. 40 km from Resistencia, ca. 27°11′24.7632″S, 58°49′11.7912″W, 22 Sep 1967, A. Suaréz Cullen 620 (LP). Chubut: Puerto San José, 12 Dec 1904, P. Dusén 5244 (UPS).

AUSTRALIA. New South Wales: Hat Head (Korogoro Point), E of Kempsey, ca. 31°3′11.88″S, 153°3′20.771″E, 18 Jan 1953, E. F. ConsTable 24065 (MO). Queensland: Ingram Island, rocks at SW coast, 14°25′4.979″S, 144°52′43.859″E, 27 Jul 1973, D. R. Stoddart 4042 (MO). Western Australia: Pilbara, lowland of Fortescue River Basin, Roy Hill Road between Marillana and Roy Hill Homestead, 22°24′39.96″S, 119°28′56.28″E, 22 Sep 1995, S. Hunger & N. Kilian 9313 (B).

BAHAMAS. Inagua: along South Shore Road W of Salt Pond Hill, 01 Jun 1974, G. R. Proctor & W. T. Gillis 33877 (B).

BELIZE. Stann Creek, beach near village of Stann Creek [Dangriga?], 16°58′04.1736″N, 88°13′06.1140″W, 11 Jun 1973, T. B. Croat 24086 (MO); Glover’ s Reef, Middle Cay, 16°42'–45'N, 87°45'–50'W, 02–12 Nov 1971, F. R. Fosberg & D. R. Stoddart 53920 (MO).

BRAZIL. Alagoas: near mouth of Río Mandaú. Maceió, 9°42′ 53.9244″S, 35°48′05.4900″W, 04 Sep 1987, S. Tsugaru & Y. Sano B-1477 (MO); Guanabara: Barra de Tijuca, 26 Mar 1964, Z. A. Trinta & E. Fromm 534 (LP).

BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES. British Virgin Islands: Beef Island, Tamarind Point, ca. 18°26′33″N, 64°31′53″W, 12 Feb 1962, W. G. Dárcy 726A (MO); Turks and Caicos Islands: Turks Islands, Salt Cay, 11 Sep 1978, D. S. Correll 50197 (BRIT, CAS, MO) .

CAPE VERDE. Maio: beach S of Villa de la Maio (Preia Preta), 16 Sep 1979, W. Lobin 534 (BONN); Sal: beach from lighthouse of Santa Maria to Beia algodoeiro, 09 Nov 1979, W. Lobin 1442 (BONN).

CHINA. Fujian, Hulan Distr.: Houlong, Wuli str., sand beach along sea, 24 Jun 1985, Chen Hengbin 456 (MO); Guangdong: Yangjiang Xian, ca. 21°46′23.7″N, 112°2′56.4″E, 30 Nov 1935, C. Wang 38814 (MO).

CUBA. La Habana, Reparto Miramar, on the “arrefice”, 11 Oct 1921, E. L. Ekman 13307 (B, UPS); rocky seashore near Havanna, 24 Nov 1905, A. H. Curtiss 569 (K).

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Parish St. Mark: Scott’ s Head, ca. 15°12′45″N, 61°22′11″W, 25 Jun 1992, H. T. Beck & K. Lee 1686 (CAS).

ECUADOR. E coast, Onná (?), 15 Jun 1937, Schimpff 1187 (Z). Galapagos Islands: Baltra (Seymoure Island), ca. 0°26′16.1448″S, 90°16′ 53.49″W, 22 Jan 1964, F. R. Fosberg 44679 (MJG). Manabi: Manta, ca. 0°56′ 46.1580″S, 80°41′33.0720″W, 06 Jun 1989, C. Cerón et al. 6746 (MO).

FRENCH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES. St. Barthelemy: NO edge of La Grande Saline, 17°53′29.0004″N, 62°49′22.0008″W, 23 Jan 2006, P. H. Raoen 28497 (MO).

GABON. Estuaire: Ovang, old oil platform in the mangroves, 0°28′ 54.001″N, 9°31′5.998”E, 18 Nov 2001, J. J. Wieringa & A. F. Bradley 4368 (WAG); Ovang, E of Libreville, 0°28′59.9988″N, 9°31′00.0012”E, 23 Jul 1985, J. J. Bos et al. 10776 (WAG).

INDONESIA. Sumatra: Aceh, Lhokseumawa, ca. 5°11′59.773″N, 97°7′ 15.859″E, 31 Aug 1971, K. Iaeatsiki et al. 1305 (MO). Aroe Island, Dobo, ca. 05°45′27.4860″S, 134°12′58.6080″E, 18 Apr 1922, H. Jensen 220 (C).

INSULAR AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES: American Samoa: Tau, S side of Island, ca. 14°14′53.7936″S, 169°27′13.5288″W, 22 Aug 1975, A. Whistler W 3223 (B); Puerto Rico: Reserva Forestal Guanica, 19 Mar 1990, B. M. Boom 9997 (MO). U. S. Virgin Islands: St. John, East End Quarter, along Center Line Road, near Hermitage ruins, 18°21′20.8″N, 64°42′2.08″W, 05 May 1989, P. Aceoedo Rdgz. et al. 2952 (MO).

JAPAN. Kyushu, Pref. Kagoshima: Distr. Ooshima, Kikai-cho, ca. 28°19′49.072″N, 129°57′10.403″E, 29 Nov 1981, K. Mimoro et al. 2892 (CAS, MO).

KENYA. Coast Province: ca. 5 km from Kilifi, ca. 03°34′S, 39°53′E, 15 Apr 1973, P. Bamps et al. 4522 (WAG); Kilifi District: Mida Creek, Mida, 03°19′0.011″S, 39°58′0.012″E, 10 Jan 1970, B. Jonsell 2065 (UPS, WAG).

KIRIBATI. Phoenix Islands: Enderbury Island (Guano Island), 03°07′ 59.9988″S, 171°04′59.9988″W, 10 Oct 1939, A. C. Broaene s. n. (CAS); Enderbury Island, 03°07′22.9188″S, 171°05′00.8340″W, 01 Jun 1973, F. R. Fosberg & D. R. Stoddart 54756 (MO).

MAURITIUS: Ile aux Fouquets, islet at E coast, ca. 20°23′42.5328″S, 57°46′39.7992″E, 18 Jan 1975, D. H. Lorence DL 1064 (MO); Poste Lafayette, E coast, ca. 20°08′19.1652″S, 57°45′13.8024″E, 11 Jan 1973, D. H. Lorence M 189 (MO).

MEXICO. Baja California: Bahia de los Angeles, lagoon at S coast, 13 Mar 1992, P. Fritsch et al. 1315 (MEXU); Estero Rasa, Isla Rasa, 30 Apr 1979, B. Villa R. s. n. (MO). Jalisco: Bahia de Chamelas, Mun. Tomatlan, dunes, 11 Feb 1982, J. I. Calzada & J. Eliozondo 8424 (MO).

MOZAMBIQUE. Inhambane: Pomene, several km from airstrip, near mangroves, ca. 26°03′34.9668″S, 32°54′05.3208″E, 24 Sep 1980, P. C. M. Jansen et al. PJ7521 (WAG).

NICARAGUA. Carazo: 3.3 km SE of Casdares on road to Huehuete, SE of La Bocana Grande (mouth of Río Grande), 11°37′35.8284″N, 86°20′ 19.5432″W, 23 Nov 1977, W. D. Steoens & B. A. Krukoff 5179 (CAS). Chinandega: Puerto Morazan; ca. 16°12′51″N, 87°10′00″W, 09 May 1998, R. Rueda & I. Coronado 8137 (MO).

PANAMA. Canal Zone: Farfan Bay, ca. 7°40′09.3720″N, 81°12′ 30.7224″W, 30 Mar 1969, J. D. Daeyer et al. 4692 (WAG); Guna Yala: Isla Mosquito/Sunset Island, ca. 9°06′00.1512″N, 77°53′59.9892″W, 07 Oct 1966, J. A. Duke 8872 (MJG).

PARAGUAY. Chaco: Palma de las Islas, 12 Mar 1989, F. Mereles & L. Ramella 2852 (Z).

PERU. Arequipa: ca. 3 km N of Camana, ca. 16°38′00″S, 72°45′43″W, 07 May 1977, J. C. Solomon 2799 (MO).

PHILIPPINES. Mindanao, St. Cruz Island near Zamboanga, ca. 6°51′ 42″N, 122°3′56″E, 11 Dec 1961, S. Olsen 891 (C); Sulu Archipelago, Papahag, ca. 5°02′18.4200″N, 119°47′31.8300″E, 26 Nov 1961, S. Olsen 886 (B); Luzon, Manila, ca. 14°35′57″N, 120°59′01″E, Jul 1947, H. Jeppesen s. n. (C).

SENEGAL. Dakar: Hann, ca. 14°43′21″N, 17°25′45″W, 23 Jan 1948, J. G. Adam 362 (MO).

SEYCHELLES, Outer Islands: Astove Atoll, Lagoon, on sand in and around Pemphis swamp, ca. 10°04′42″S, 47°44′55″E, 06 Oct 1967, Gaeynne & Wood 1318 (UPS).

TAIWAN. Kaohsiung Hsien, Hunei Hsiang; Hunei Hsiang, 22°57′ 33.001″N, 120°10′49.979″E, 31 May 2003, C. H. Chen 4836 (MO); Tainan Hsien, Chiku Hsiang, Lungshan, 23°8′29″N, 120°6′43.991″E, 07 Jun 2003, C. H. Chen 4611 (MO).

TANZANIA. Daressalaam: Msimbazi Creek, ca. 80 m above Salander Bridge, ca. 6°47′44.4624″S, 39°16′53.5476″E, 27 Aug 1971, R. Wingfield 1718 (WAG).

U. S. A., Florida, Collier County: Carnestown, 25°54′38.833″N, 81°21′ 47.023″W, 13 May 1975, A. L. Moldenke & H. N. Moldenke 29687 (LL). Hawaii, Hawai’ i: Kohala, ca. 20°5′31.369″N, 155°52′16.572″W, 09 Aug 1926, O. Degener 8910 (B); South Point, Kau, ca. 18°54′36.662″N, 155°40′ 44.436″W, 14 Mar 1949, A. Greenaeell 19645 (B). Texas, Cameron County: Rt. 4 E of Brownsville, near scrapyard W of Palmita Hill Historical Marker, 25°57′16.804″N, 97°19′18.202″W, 10 Dec 1983, B. Ertter 5247 (TEX).

VENEZUELA. Falcón: Distr. Silva, Cayo Sal, NE of Chichiriviche, 10°58'N, 68°15'W, 28 Aug 1974, J. A. Steyermark & B. J. Manara 110321 (MO); near La Vela de Coro, 11°27′19.3608″N, 69°34′51.4740″W, 25 Feb 1968, H. & E. Walter 85 (B).

An extended list of examined specimens of S. portulacastrum can be found in online Appendix S1.