Aizoaceae · Sesuvium

Dhapa / Sea Purslane

Sesuvium portulacastrum

HerboutdoorMedicinal
Habit
Herb
Found in India
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh & more
Flowering
November-May

Plant Details

Scientific name
Sesuvium portulacastrum
Genus
Sesuvium
Family
Aizoaceae
Habit
Herb
Distribution
Pantropical
Found in India
Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Daman & Diu, Goa
Flowering & fruiting
November-May
Conservation status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Leaf shape
LanceolaterecordedLong and narrow, tapering to a point, like a lance head.It has smooth, fleshy, glossy green leaves that are linear or lanceolate, from 1–7 centimetres (0.39–2.76 in) long and 2–1.5 centimetres (0.79–0.59 in) wide. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf surface
GlabrousrecordedSmooth, hairless.It has smooth, fleshy, glossy green leaves that are linear or lanceolate, from 1–7 centimetres (0.39–2.76 in) long and 2–1.5 centimetres (0.79–0.59 in) wide. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Simple type leaf character
Type
Simple
Toothed margin leaf character
Margin
Toothed

Characters marked “recorded” are for Dhapa itself; the rest are typical of the Aizoaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Fruit type
CapsulerecordedA dry fruit from a fused ovary that splits open at maturity to release seeds.The fruit is a round capsule, it has tiny black seeds that do not float. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Inflorescence
Cyme
Fruit
Capsule

Characters marked “recorded” are for Dhapa itself; the rest are typical of the Aizoaceae family — flowering plants only.

Local Names

Tamil
கடல் வழுக்கைக்கீரை Katal valukkaikkirai, பவளவங்காரவாச்சி Pavala-vankaara-vaacci, கடல் வழுக்கைக்கீரை
Malayalam
കൊഴുപ്പ Kozhuppa, സാമ്പാർ ചീര Saambar cheera
Marathi
धापा Dhapa

About Dhapa

Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) is a herb in the Aizoaceae family. In India it has been recorded in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and 4 other states. Flowering and fruiting run from November to May.

Illustration representing the Aizoaceae family
Botanical family

Aizoaceae

Carpet-Weed Family

Dhapa belongs to the Aizoaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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Common plant problems

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