Lemur12 · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
The common purslane, *Portulaca oleracea*, is a highly adaptable, succulent plant prized for its edible leaves, stems, and flowers. It is notable for its unique ability to utilize both C4 and CAM photosynthesis pathways, allowing it to thrive in diverse and challenging environments.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant grows from a taproot and may reach up to 40 centimeters in height. It features smooth, reddish, mostly prostrate stems, and leaves that are clustered at stem joints and ends. The yellow flowers have five regular parts and are up to 6 millimeters wide. The fruits are many-seeded capsules, and the seeds germinate optimally at temperatures above 25 °C.
Distribution & habitat
It has an extensive distribution, assumed to be mostly anthropogenic, extending from North Africa and Southern Europe through the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to Malesia and Australasia. It is also noted as a tropical perennial in United States Department of Agriculture growing zones 10–11.
Ecology
The taproot helps the plant tolerate poor soil and drought. It has a waxy cover that protects it from insects and diseases, and it is known to have antifungal properties. It is also highly tolerant of salt, allowing it to remove salt from the cultivation medium.
History & etymology
The species was recorded in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum. The specific epithet oleracea means "vegetable/herbal" in Latin.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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