A grasshopper sits posing on a pretty, pale pink Sea Purslane flower
Sea Purslane grows abundantly in salty and dry habitats such as on the tiny cays just out from Harbour Club Villas and Marina. We decided to explore one day and stopped on a little cay with a spectacular view of the Five Cays shoreline.
View of Five Cays shoreline from one of the tiny cays where Rock Iguanas have been introduced
We spotted some Rock Iguanas but they scurried away quickly as we approached. I did manage to get a photos of one though!
This rock iguana was very wary and was ready to take flight if I came any closer
On one of the slopes of this little cay, a carpet of sea purslane cascaded over the rocks. Some had star shaped pink flowers that bloom throughout the year.
Sea Purslane carpets the rocks on this little cay
Sea Purslane is a succulent herb that makes for a great ground cover. It grows along beaches and along the edges of salinas and has smooth, fleshy leaves. The leaves are edible and have a salty taste. I’ll have to find out if iguanas eat the leaves as this island seemed pretty limited in the way of food.
Sea Purslane is also know as Sea Pickle and can be used medicinally for treatment of scurvy and kidney disorders
What a great plant and useful for so many things!
Marta