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Sesuvium erectum
Sea-purslane, Verrucose seapurslane
Some plants may be S. portulacastrum that is very similar. Grows only as an ornamental plant. Near Olympic Tower in West Bay, it grows on waste ground semi-wild from shoots cut from trimmed plants.
Sesuvium verrucosum is a species of flowering plant in the iceplant family known by the common names western sea-purslane and verrucose sea-purslane. It is native to the Americas, where it can be found in the southwestern quadrant of the United States, Mexico, and parts of South America. It grows in many types of saline and alkaline habitat types on the coast and inland, including salt marshes and other saline wetlands, alkali flats, and drying desert washes. It is a perennial herb producing many branching prostrate stems up to a metre long, forming a mat up to two metres wide. The herbage is verrucose, covered densely in crystalline bumps. The stems are lined with leaves of varying shapes which measure up to 4 cm long. Flowers occur in the leaf axils. They have no petals, but the five, pointed sepals are generally bright pink to reddish or orange in color with a thick, verrucose outer surface. At the centre of the flower is a ring of stamens around the central ovary. The fruit is a capsule about 500 mm long containing many seeds.
Sesuvium verrucosum is a succulent plant species that belongs to the Aizoaceae family. In Qatar, it has been found to grow in coastal and inland areas, particularly in saline soils and sandy dunes. Studies have reported its presence in various regions of the country, including the north and west coasts, where it tolerates high temperatures and salinity. The plant's ability to thrive in these conditions makes it a notable component of Qatar's flora, contributing to the country's biodiversity in arid environments.
Blooming sea purslane (Sesuvium verrucosum) near Al Qassar Tower in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, January 6, 2015
Al Corniche Street, Doha, Qatar
Flower of sea purslane (Sesuvium verrucosum) taken from Al Qassar Tower in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, January 24, 2016
Sea purslane (Sesuvium verrucosum) near Al Qassar Tower in West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 25, 2016Golden Tower, Majlis Al Taawon St, Doha, QatarObservations of Sesuvium verrucosum in Qatar revealed that the plant blooms in January, as seen on January 6, 2015, and January 24, 2016, near Al Qassar Tower in West Bay, Doha. The flowers were observed to be present during this time, with a closer look taken on January 24, 2016. Additionally, the plant was still present in the area on May 25, 2016, suggesting that it can survive and thrive in the local environment for an extended period. The plant's ability to grow near Al Qassar Tower, a coastal area, indicates its tolerance to saline conditions. Overall, Sesuvium verrucosum appears to be a hardy and adaptable species in Qatar's coastal regions. Its blooming period and growth habits were consistently observed across multiple years, providing insight into its behavior in the local ecosystem.
www.catalogueoflife.org
QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.