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Common purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Summary 8

Portulaca oleracea is an annual succulent in the Portulacaceae commonly known as common purslane, duckweed, little hogweed, or pursley. It is considered an exotic weed and was historically eaten by Native Americans.

Botanical Information 9

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a very common annual plant that has succulent leaves. The plant can reach up to 40 cm (16 in) high, but is usually a groundcover. It has a reddish-green stem and yellow flowers that are 6 mm (0.24 in) wide (1). The flowers bloom three weeks after the plant sprouts. The leaves cluster around the stem joints, ends, and sometimes on the stem. Normally the stems and leaves are alternate. The seed pod is cone-shaped when it is closed, but when it is opened, it looks like a tiny cup with almost microscopic black seeds. Purslane can make 101,625 to 242,540 seeds per season, and seeds can be viable for 40 years (3). Purslane’s roots are taproots and if it uprooted, it can re-root.

Ecological Information 10

Purslane grows on every continent except for Antarctica (4). It originated in India and Persia and spread throughout the world (2). Purslane beat Columbus to North America. Purslane seeds were found in the United States, dating from 1,000 B.C. (3). Purslane has naturalized all over North America. It is considered invasive in the southwestern quarter of the United States. Purslane loves disturbed dry soil but can tolerate almost any kind of soil. It prefers sunny places.

Ethnobotanical Information 10

Purslane is used by people in a wide range of ways. The most common use is for food. Purslane has a lot of beta carotene and has more omega-3 fatty acids than any other green plant (6). In my opinion, purslane tastes a little bit lemony and very good. It can be eaten raw, a little bit cooked or extremely cooked. Purslane also has a lot of medicinal uses. The main uses are to help heal insect or snake bites. Also it is good for curing boils and sores (1). Purslane is a very useful and amazing plant.

References 11

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea

  2. https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/homeowners/030726.html
    Sandra Mason, Extension Educator, Horticulture, slmason@illinois.edu

  3. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1071&context=agronhortdiss
    9-9-2013, Biology and Control of Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), Christopher Proctor, Doctoral Thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, caproctor@huskers.unl.edu

  4. Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International, Invasive Species Compendium, http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/43609
  5. Biota of North America Program http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Portulaca%20oleracea.png
  6. http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/recipes/sns-food-recipes-sides-purslane-story.html

About the Author 12

Student author*: Lucas (age 10) from Homeschool Science Coop

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) James Bailey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by James Bailey
  2. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/35533245481/
  3. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/27494530804/
  4. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/28842193977/
  5. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/36368487531/
  6. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/23587283298/
  7. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/29016886471/
  8. Adapted by caseynm from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
  9. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) Rich, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
  10. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
  11. (c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
  12. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

(c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

iNat Map

Color yellow
Seed black
Type succulent
Uses edible, medicinal
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