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Halimione portulacoidesSea Purslane

By Leanne Downs2 July 2019

Sea Purslane or ‘Halimione portulacoides‘ is an edible plant, found in many of the UK’s coastal areas. Recently it is experiencing a revival, being used in top restaurants as an exciting wild ingredient

Where can I find Sea Purslane?

Sea Purslane is commonly found in areas of salt marsh and around the coastal areas of England and Wales. It can also be found in Scotland but only on the Solway coast.

When can I find Sea Purslane?

As a perennial, it can be found all year round, although it flowers from July to September. It’s best to collect younger growth which is less woody and tough.

Sea Purslane can be found in marshy areas and on the coasts of England and Wales

How to identify Sea Purslane

Sea Purslane usually grows thickly but can also occur as single plants mixed in with other coastal plants. The stems can reach around 60cm high. It’s leaves are slightly oval in shape and beautifully fleshy, green grey in colour. The leaves are also covered in tiny hairs and they grow in opposite pairs along the stems, which are pale and green when young and woody and brown when older. Sea Purslane flowers are tiny, pale yellow and grow in clusters.

Uses for Sea Purslane

The salty flavour and crunchy texture of its leaves makes it a great accompaniment to seafood, for use in salads and as a side dish. Full of vitamins and minerals, it is best washed, lightly boiled and eaten like spinach, although it has also been used to make pestos or eaten raw. It is delicious pickled and used incorporated into dips and sauces.

Its leaves are pale with tiny hairs and grow, best eaten when young

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Leanne Downs

About Leanne Downs

Leanne Downs is the content editor for Thryve and works as an outdoor writer, blogger and photographer. She loves hiking, hillwalking and wild camping.

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This entry is tagged:

Foraging and Wild Cooking
Foraging Ingredients
Nature

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