

Purslanes
Botanical name: Portulaca
Purslanes
Botanical name: Portulaca


Description

The purslanes (Portulaca) are a group of low-growing, flowering plants in the carnation family. One species, Common Purselane (P. oleracea) is notable for its edibility – its leaves are eaten as salad greens in cultures around the world. Many other purslaness are used ornamentally, being prized for their ability to create drought-hardy, showy-flowered ground cover.

Species of Purslanes


Portulaca oleracea 'Granatus'
Known as portulaca oleracea 'Granatus'. The small flowers attract bees and butterflies to the garden.

Ihi
The ihi looks like a mini-version of the Breadfruit. Its leaves are large, round, and emerald green all year round. Neatly arranged in layers, the leaves look like green butterflies that are about to flutter their wings and fly away.

Wingpod purslane
Wingpod purslane (Portulaca umbraticola) is a succulent annual plant or short-lived perennial that will grow to 15 cm tall and 61 cm wide. Its flowers vary in color from orange to red to pink. Flowers attract butterflies, bees and moths. Thrives in full sun with regular moisture and well-drained soil. Trim back when it becomes untidy to encourage new growth and flowers.

Purple rice
Purple rice (Portulaca gilliesii) is a flowering succulent that grows best in full sunlight and sandy soil. Purple rice is often cultivated and collected as an ornamental species. This species does not require regular watering. It grows natively in India and the Middle East.

Moss rose
Moss rose is an ornamental flowering semi-succulent plant native to South America. Gardeners can cultivate this easy-to-grow plant in annual flowerbeds, in containers, or in hanging baskets because of its trailing habit. Different cultivars have been selected and propagated for achieving striking variations in color, shape, and petal number of the flowers.

Common purslane
Portulaca oleracea, colloquially known as common purslane, is an annual succulent species with reddish stems and tiny yellow, five-petal flowers. It is used for culinary purposes in various parts of the world, most often raw, in salads. Common purslane is also a good companion plant for crops that thrive in moist soils.

Pink purslane
Pink purslane (Portulaca pilosa) is a flowering succulent native to the southern United States, the Caribbean, and Brazil that can tolerate drought, sun, and low-quality soil. Its little flowers only open on sunny mornings. It is often thought of as a weed, but can be used in landscaping to form an attractive groundcover in difficult parts of the yard.

Native yellow purslane
The native yellow purslane (Portulaca lutea) are a group of low-growing, flowering plants in the carnation family. One species, Common Purselane (P. oleracea) is notable for its edibility – its leaves are eaten as salad greens in cultures around the world. Many other native yellow purslanes are used ornamentally, being prized for their ability to create drought-hardy, showy-flowered ground cover.

Portulaca kermesina
The portulaca kermesina (Portulaca kermesina) are a group of low-growing, flowering plants in the carnation family. One species, Common Purselane (P. oleracea) is notable for its edibility – its leaves are eaten as salad greens in cultures around the world. Many other portulaca kermesinas are used ornamentally, being prized for their ability to create drought-hardy, showy-flowered ground cover.

Silkcotton purslane
The silkcotton purslane (Portulaca halimoides) are a group of low-growing, flowering plants in the carnation family. One species, Common Purselane (P. oleracea) is notable for its edibility – its leaves are eaten as salad greens in cultures around the world. Many other silkcotton purslanes are used ornamentally, being prized for their ability to create drought-hardy, showy-flowered ground cover.

Paraguayan purslane
The paraguayan purslane (Portulaca amilis) are a group of low-growing, flowering plants in the carnation family. One species, Common Purselane (P. oleracea) is notable for its edibility – its leaves are eaten as salad greens in cultures around the world. Many other paraguayan purslanes are used ornamentally, being prized for their ability to create drought-hardy, showy-flowered ground cover.

Care Guide for Purslanes





Scientific Classification

Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Dicotyledons Order
Pinks, cacti, and allies Family
Purslane Genus
Purslanes