Sea purslane
Atriplex portulacoides

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It is spreading and can form roots where the stems touch the ground. The leaves are a silvery colour. They are thick and fleshy and are usually opposite. They are oblong and do not have teeth. The flowers are small and greenish-yellow.

Also put in the family Chenopodiaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate and subtropical plant. It grows on salt marshes and along the edges of pools and drains.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Britain, Europe, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mediterranean, Portugal, Spain

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw in salads or cooked as a potherb. They are also used for pickles.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Chenopodium portulacoides (L.) Thunb.; Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen; Halimus portulacoides (L.) Dumort.; Obione portulacoides (L.) Moq.;