Sea Sandwort
ExplorePlants
Sea Sandwort
Honckenya peploides
Sea Sandwort is a special plant that grows by the beach! It has small, green leaves and can survive in sandy places where few other plants can grow.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Sea Sandwort has fleshy, bright green, egg-shaped leaves that grow in opposite pairs on creeping stems. Its tiny, star-shaped flowers are usually greenish-white or pale pink, appearing singly or in small clusters. It often forms dense, low-lying mats on sandy shores.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusHonckenya
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient sailors ate Sea Sandwort to prevent scurvy, thanks to its high Vitamin C!
It can grow in very salty beach conditions where most other plants simply cannot survive.
Its seeds can float on ocean currents, helping the plant spread to new beaches afar!
This hardy plant creates its own mini-ecosystem, helping other life survive on dunes.
Special abilities
Ability
Salt-Proof Skin
Sea Sandwort has thick, waxy leaves that help it store freshwater and block salty winds, protecting it from dehydration.
Ability
Sand Anchor
Sea Sandwort can grow long, deep roots and underground stems (rhizomes) to anchor itself firmly, even in shifting sands.
Ability
Buried Treasure
This plant can sprout new shoots from buried stems, allowing it to survive being covered by sand and grow upwards.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to late summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Feeds on nectar, aiding reproduction.
eaten by
European rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Rabbits graze on its leaves and shoots.
symbiotic with
Couch grass
Elymus repens
Often grows alongside, stabilizing dunes together.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Salt Tolerant
Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always stay on paths and don't pick plants without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Sea Sandwort?
10-30 cm
How wide does Sea Sandwort spread?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Sea Sandwort?
0.5-1 cm
When does Sea Sandwort bloom?
Late spring to late summer
Is Sea Sandwort edible?
Yes
Is Sea Sandwort toxic?
None
What is Sea Sandwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Sea Sandwort pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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