Sesuvium portulacastrum
Genus
Sesuvium
Species
portulacastrum
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- ʻĀkulikuli
Hawaiian Names
- Akulikuli
Common Names
- Sea purslane
- Shoreline seapurslane
Synonyms
- Portulaca portulacastrum
- Trianthema portulacastrum var. hillebrandii
Distribution Status
Indigenous
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Spreading
Mature Size, Height
- Grass-like, Short, Less than 1
Mature Size, Width
ʻĀkuikuli spreads from 1 and 4 feet or more in width.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Ground Cover
- Slope Stabilization
- Container
- Accent
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Light Purple
- Pink
- White
Additional Flower Color Information
ʻĀkulikuli has small purple, pinkish, or white flowers.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
The small succulent leaves range from about 1/4 to just over 2 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Light Green
- Medium Green
- Red
Additional Leaf Color Information
Generally leaves are medium green and turn red or yellow with age. Those grown in open or full sun areas usually have redder leaves than do shaded plants.
Additional Pest & Disease Information
This prostrate groundcover is prone to slug and snail attacks.
Fertilizer
If using ʻākulikuli on land follow a low fertilzing regiment, but this is not necessary for plants in water features. An application slow release fertilizer with minor elements every six months. Foliar feeding with a water-soluble or an organic fertilizer (e.g. kelp or fish emulsion) at one-third to one-fourth the recommended strength monthly has proved beneficial. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
Pruning Information
Prune ʻākulikuli to keep confined to growing areas.
Water Requirements
Dry
Additional Water Information
Once ʻākulikuli is established, watering only in times of prolonged drought is required. However, this wonderful groundcover will grow very happily in moist or wet conditions and can even grow directly in water.
Soil must be well drained
No
Light Conditions
- Full sun
Additional Lighting Information
Full sun is optimal but tolerates some shading for part of the day.
Spacing Information
Space ʻākulikuli 6 and 12 inches apart. The plants will grow together forming a nice groundcover.
Tolerances
- Waterlogged Soil
- Drought
- Brackish Water
- Wind
- Salt Spray
Soils
- Clay
- Sand
- Cinder
- Organic
- Coral
Natural Zones
- Less than 150, 0 to 50
- Less than 150, 50 to 100
Natural Range
- Niʻihau
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Kahoʻolawe
- Hawaiʻi
- Northwest Islands
Additional Growth Environment Information
ʻĀkulikuli naturally grows on sunny, windy sandy beaches and coastal coralline areas. This is a pantropic plant.
In the Hawaiian Islands, ʻākulikuli is found on all the main islands and in the Northwest Islands on Midway Atoll (Pihemanu), Pearl & Hermes Atoll (Holoikauaua), Lisianski (Papaʻāpoho), Laysan (Kauō), and Necker (Mokumanamana).
Special Notes and Information
This succulent plant is a natural feature in Hawaiian wetlands, providing habitat for invertebrates used as food by native waterbirds.
Modern Use:
ʻĀkulikuli was the plant of choice for cleaning the stagnant, murky waters in the Ala Wai Canal (Waikīkī) on Oʻahu. Patented platforms of ʻakulikuli were placed in the canal and the roots helped filter and clear the water of toxins and other unwanted materials.
The succulent leaves can be eaten and added to salads. The salty taste is probably an acquired one. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola] The salty taste appears holds true whether grown in a brackish water environment or not. [David Eickhoff, NPH] ʻĀkulikuli flowers can be used in making a beautiful lei but are difficult to make because of requiring a large volume of flowers. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola]
Landscape Use:
One of the most salt-tolerant of all coastal plants, ʻākulikuli is an excellent ground cover for beach areas, saline soils, xeric landscaping, and in and around water features.
A nice container plant that should be given full sun and regular watering. [1]
Additional References
[1] "Container Gardening in Hawaii" by Janice Crowl, page 52.
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