Sesuvium edmonstonei

Sesuvium edmonstonei,[1] commonly known as Galapagos carpet weed,[2] is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador).

Sesuvium edmonstonei
Galapagos carpet weed (March 2005)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Sesuvium
Species:
S. edmonstonei
Binomial name
Sesuvium edmonstonei

Description
Flowering in May

Sesuvium edmonstonei is a low-growing perennial plant. The stems, which are fleshy and covered with scales, are sometimes woody at the base. The succulent leaves are oblancolate and grow in opposite pairs; they are simple, entire and up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long. The flowers grow in the leaf axils, each having a five-lobed white calyx, no petals, and many stamens. The fruits that follow are ovoid capsules, with lids, containing black seeds with wrinkled cuticles. The plants develop orange and red hues in the cool season.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This succulent plant is endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It is found on Darwin Island, Española Island, Fernandina Island, Floreana Island, Genovesa Island, Isabela Island, Rábida Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santiago Island and Wolf Island. It spreads in sheets across both rocky and sandy ground.[3]

References
  1. Tye, A. 2000. Sesuvium edmondstonei. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 August 2007
  2. Sesuvium edmonstonei Archived 2012-06-12 at the Wayback Machine ZipCodeZoo.com Archived 2008-01-05 at the Wayback Machine Downloaded on 9 August 2009
  3. McMullen, Conley K. (2018). Flowering Plants of the Galápagos. Cornell University Press. p. 245. ISBN 978-1-5017-2876-1.

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