Sesuvium portulacastrum
A salt-tolerant creeping coastal plant that grows on sandy soils, stabilizes dunes, prevents erosion, and provides habitat for fauna in littoral ecosystems.
Its stems are prostrate, succulent, and range in color from deep green to reddish or purple, depending on the degree of water and salt stress. This reddish coloration is produced by betalaín pigments, which serve a photoprotective function.
Its leaves are small, fleshy, and oblong in shape, with a smooth, glossy surface covered by a thick cuticle that minimizes water loss through evaporation and limits the penetration of excess salt.
It produces small flowers grouped in circular structures. Once pollinated, these develop into compound fruits of chestnut to deep purple coloration, resembling small buttons.
