Sesuvium sesuvioides

Family: Aizoaceae

What it is like

A herb. The stems lie along the ground. It can grow each year from seeds or keep growing for a few years. The leaves are 6-15 mm long and 3-6 mm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a capsule with a lid on top. This is 5.5 mm long. There are 13-20 seeds. The seeds are black and 1 mm long.

There are 8 Sesuvium species. They grow in tropical and subtropical salty locations.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Rajasthan. It suits a salty soil. It needs a rainfall above 520 mm per year. It can grow in dry sandy areas. It grows up to about 100-700 m above sea level. It cannot tolerate frost. It can grow with temperatures between 2-41°C. It needs a water table close to the surface. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Botswana, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, Congo, East Africa, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a green vegetable. It is eaten as a pot-herb. It is mixed with other leaves such as Cleome to make them more slimy.

Edible parts

Leaves, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kailatsilabe, Lario, Lunio, Omundjulu

Synonyms

Diplochonium sesuvoides Fenzl; Trianthema hydaspica Edge.; Trianthema polysperma Hochst. ex Oliv.; Sesuvium hydaspicum (Edgew.) Gonc.;