Scientific Name
Portulaca oleracea L.
Common Name(s)
Common Purslane, Purslane, Moss Rose, Pursley, Little Hogweed, Portulaca Weed, Pigweed, Wild Portulaca, Verdolaga, Red Root
Synonym(s)
Portulaca hortensis, Portulaca officinarum, Portulaca oleracea var. oleracea
Scientific Classification
Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulaca
Etymology
The specific epithet "oleracea" (pronounced "awl-lur-RAY-see-uh") means "vegetable" and refers to this species' leaves, which are edible and used as a vegetable.
Origin
Portulaca oleracea has an extensive distribution from North Africa and Southern Europe through the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to Malesia and Australasia.
Description
Portulaca oleracea is an annual succulent with prostrate or decumbent, repeatedly branched stems and thick fleshy leaves, often somewhat crowded towards the ends of the branches, forming a spreading mat. The stems are glabrous or pilose at nodes and are usually reddish-tinged. The leaves are elliptic to obovoid with a short petiole, measuring up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide. They are glistening white below and green or purplish-green above.
The yellow flowers can appear any time of year, solitary or in clusters of 3 to 5 at the end of the branches. They can reach a diameter of up to 0.5 inches (1 cm) and are open only a few hours on sunny mornings. The fruits are ovoid, many-seeded capsules.
How to Grow and Care
Portulacas tolerate many kinds of soil but prefer sandy, well-drained soil and love full sunlight. They are excellent for high heat and drought tolerance and will seed and spread themselves very well. Some control methods may be needed to keep Portulacas from becoming invasive in areas that are not wanted, but these wonderful plants spread easily.
These succulents require no attention when growing and flowering. However, you should remove them from the garden before plants set seeds, as they may take over the garden. You do not need to water often for proper Portulaca care. The cylindrical foliage of the plants retains moisture very well, so regular watering is not required. When they are watered, just a light watering will do, as their root zone is very shallow.
Sow the seeds on the soil surface following the last frost of spring. Ideally, these plants should be grown in a sunny part of the garden. If starting Portulaca indoors, then start about one and a half months in advance.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Portulaca.
Subspecies and Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Portulaca
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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