About Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.
Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L. is a vining plant that grows up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) tall, with thick, smooth stems that can reach 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length. It produces smooth, fleshy, glossy green leaves that are linear or lanceolate in shape. Leaves range from 1 to 7 centimeters (0.39 to 2.76 inches) long, and 0.5 to 2 centimeters (0.20 to 0.79 inches) wide. Flowers develop from leaf axils; they are small, measuring 0.5 centimeters (0.20 inches) in diameter, and are pink or purple. The flowers close at night and when the sky is cloudy, and are pollinated by bees and moths. The fruit of this species is a round capsule, containing tiny black seeds that do not float. For chemical and medicinal properties, the fatty acid composition of the plant includes 31.18% palmitic acid, 21.15% oleic acid, 14.18% linolenic acid, 10.63% linoleic acid, 6.91% myristic acid, and 2.42% behenic acid. Extracts of the plant have demonstrated antibacterial and anticandidal activities, as well as moderate antifungal activity.
