The halophytic shrub Halimione portulacoides demonstrates a high tolerance to heavy metal contamination
and a capacity for accumulating metals within its tissues. On the Iberian Peninsula, this species has
colonized habitats with high levels of metal pollution. The aim of this study is to analyze the response of
H. portulacoides stem cuttings to this pollution. Growth, photosynthesis and metal uptake were examined
in H. portulacoides through an experiment in which stem cuttings were replanted in metal-contaminated
soil. This condition decreased growth and lowered both photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance.
Reduced photosynthetic performance was largely due to the reduced concentration of photosynthetic
pigments. Despite these responses, there was some important evidence suggesting the phytoremediatory
potential of Halimione stem cuttings. The results of our study indicate that this salt-marsh shrub may represent
a biotool of value in the restoration of polluted areas.