Gerald and Buff Corsi @ California Academy of Sciences.

Sea purslane
Sesuvium

Description: The thick, fleshy leaves of Sesuvium are borne on succulent, reddish-green stems that branch regularly forming dense stands close to the ground. Typically stands 6-12" tall. Small, showy pink flowers are borne more or less continually throughout the year. Each flower opens for only a few hours each day.

Habitat: It grows on the ocean side of the dunes down to the high tide mark.

Distribution: Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Florida.

Status: These plants help build the dunes by catching sand in between stems and leaves.

Resources: University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service