Portulaca umbraticola - Wingpod Purslane

Scientific Name

Portulaca umbraticola Kunth

Common Names

Wingpod Purslane, Crownpod Purslane

Synonyms

Portulaca umbraticola subsp. umbraticola, Portulaca coronata, Portulaca denudata, Portulaca lanceolata, Portulaca plano-operculata

Scientific Classification

Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulaca

Description

Portulaca umbraticola is an annual or short-lived perennial, up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall, often incorrectly sold under the name of Portulaca oleracea. The uncultivated species is usually considered a weed, but it is the hybrid parent to many ornamental Purslanes sold at garden centers. The leaves are small, succulent, green and linear to spatulate in shape. The stems are fleshy, hairless, often reddish in color, and prostrate, ascending, or erect. The flowers are small, up to 0.7 inch (1.5 cm) across and yellow or yellow tipped with red or copper.

Photo via elblogdelatabla.com

How to Grow and Care

Portulaca plants tolerate many kinds of soil but prefer sandy, well-drained soil and love the full sunlight. These plants are excellent for high heat and drought tolerance, and will seed and spread themselves very well. Some control methods may be needed to keep portulaca plants from becoming invasive to areas where they are not wanted. These wonderful plants do spread easily and very well.

Portulaca species such as Purslane require no attention at all when growing and flowering; however you should remove them from the garden before Portulaca have chance to set seed as they may take over the garden. You do not need to water often for proper Portulaca care. The cylindrical foliage of the Portulaca plants retains moisture very well, thus, regular watering is not needed. When they are watered, just a light watering will do, as their root zone is very shallow… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Portulaca.