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Honckenya peploides (L.) Ehrh.

Seabeach sandwort

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassCaryophyllidaeCacti, many other succulents, carnivorous plants, and leadworts
OrderCaryophyllalesIncludes cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, and many carnivorous plants
FamilyCaryophyllaceaePink or carnation family
GenusHonckenya
SpeciespeploidesMeans “resembling Peplis (now Lythrum) portula” and describes the appearance of the plant when it grows on exposed mud, rather than underwater

About plant names...

Seabeach sandwort appears in clumps on coastal ocean beach sand, in sand dunes or rocky or gravelly areas. They need full sun.

Plants: Low growing plants inhabit sand dunes, forming clumps that are less than 8″ (20 cm) tall, and up to 3′ (1 m) around. Stems may reach 12″ (30 cm) in length, coiling on or near the ground.

Leaves: Leaves are succulent, in opposite pairs along each stem. Leaf blades are quite variable: elliptic, ovate, lanceolate or oblanceolate, ⅛-1¾″ (4-46 mm) × 1/32-¾″ (1-20 mm). They have crenate or smooth edges.

Flowers: White or greenish-white, ½-¾″ (1.5-2 cm) around, with five petals. They have a strong honey scent. Flowers appear from May to August.

Fruits: Roughly ovoid capsules ⅛-⅜″ (5-10 mm) × ⅛-⅜″ (5-12 mm) contain seeds that are 1/16-⅛″ (2-4 mm) around. They appear from July to September.

Edibility: Young shoots are edible, raw or cooked. They are harvested prior to flowering and used in baking or as a garnish. However, their diminutive size makes them difficult to obtain.

Online References:

Gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

Www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org

Www.seaweedsofalaska.com

Www.inaturalist.org

EFloras

 

Honckenya peploides description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 Sep 2021.

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Honckenya peploides (seabeach sandwort)

6/16/2013 · Birch Point State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 2½ × 1½′ (79 × 53 cm)

Honckenya peploides (seabeach sandwort)

6/16/2013 · Birch Point State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 2½ × 1½′ (79 × 53 cm)

Honckenya peploides (seabeach sandwort)

6/16/2013 · Birch Point State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 15 × 10″ (37 × 25 cm)

Range: Zones 4-8:

About this map...