About Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.
Growth Habit
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.
Leaf Appearance
It produces smooth, fleshy, glossy green leaves that are linear or lanceolate in shape.
Leaf Size
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.
Flower Characteristics
Flowers develop from leaf axils; they are small, measuring 0.5 centimeters (0.20 inches) in diameter, and are pink or purple.
Flower Behavior and Pollination
The flowers close at night and when the sky is cloudy, and are pollinated by bees and moths.
Fruit and Seeds
The fruit of this species is a round capsule, containing tiny black seeds that do not float.
Fatty Acid Composition
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.
Biological Activities
Extracts of the plant have demonstrated antibacterial and anticandidal activities, as well as moderate antifungal activity.
