Saturday 25 May
Endangered Species of the Week: Kakapo - the World's Favourite Species!

What’s the World’s Favourite Species?
Find out here.| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Anthophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Chenopodiaceae |
| Genus | Atriplex (1) |
Pedunculate sea-purslane is an erect, branching shrub, with fleshy leaves arranged alternately on the stem. The flowers are small, and male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The fruits are attached to the plant by short stalks, unlike sea-purslane (A. portulacoides), which has fruits without stalks (2).
This plant germinates in spring, flowers in August and produces fruit in September and October. The number of plants at a site tends to vary greatly each year, and the species is a relatively poor coloniser of suitable habitat (3). The main European stronghold of pedunculate sea-purslane is on the Danish Coast, and it is possible that the species was introduced to Essex by geese or other migratory birds, which pass through Denmark when the seeds are ripening (3).
TopThis species was believed to have become extinct by the 1930s. However, it was re-discovered in 1987 in Essex. Historically it has been recorded from East Kent, Lincolnshire and Suffolk (3). Elsewhere this plant occurs in Europe from the north of France to Estonia. It also occurs in areas of western Asia and in the vicinity of the Black Sea. The species is in decline throughout this range and has suffered local extinctions (3).
TopTypical habitats in the UK that have supported this plant are disturbed areas of salt marshes or grazing marsh. Patches of bare ground are essential in order for the seeds to germinate successfully (3).
TopClassified as Critically Endangered in Great Britain and fully protected by Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (3).
TopIn 1994 an identified threat to the species was competition with sea couch, Elytrigis atherica and red fescue grass, Festuca rubra (3).
TopAn
More »Related species
Image credit
© Ron D. Porley
Ron D. Porley
Foxhold House
Crookham Common
Thatcham
RG15 8EL
United Kingdom
ron.porley@english-nature.org.uk
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