Halimione portulacoides the sea shores of western and southern Europe, and from the Mediterranean Sea to western Asia. Copeland Islands (Co. Down). Botanical synonyms include "Atriplex portulacoides" L. and "Obione portulacoides" (L.) Moq. Recent phylogenetic research revealed, that "Halimione" is a distinct genus and can not be included in "Atriplex". Halimione portulacoides Halimione portulacoides or sea purslane (2n=36) is a small greyish-green shrub widely distributed in temperate Eurasia and parts of Africa. A halophyte, it is found in salt marshes and coastal dunes, and is usually flooded at high tide. The plant grows to 75 cm. It is evergreen, and in northern
North Sea sea grass used to coat huge tracts of ocean floor, but have been damaged by trawling and dredging have diminished its habitat and prevented its return. Invasive Japanese seaweed has spread along the shores of the sea clogging harbours and inlets and has become a nuisance. Due to the heavy human populations and high level of industrialization along its shores, the wildlife of the North Sea has suffered from pollution, overhunting, and overfishing. Flamingos and pelicans were once found along the southern shores of the North Sea, but became extinct over the 2nd millennium. Walruses frequented the Orkney Islands through