Common purslane
(Portulaca oleracea)

Overview

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Common Purslane is a summer annual that can tolerate poor conditions. It has the ability to rapidly produce seed, greatly increasing the importance of eliminating this broadleaf weed if present in crops in conditions of high moisture and temperature. It has a low prostrate growth.

Main description

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Seedling
Common purslane cotyledons are oblong in shape and smooth. Its initial leaves grow opposite one another and are maroon in colour.

Mature plant
Leaves grow in an alternate manner and are thick in size, reaching a maximum of 3 cm in length. Stems are smooth with extensive branching. They are reddish purple or green in colour and range from 4-20 cm in length. Flowers can be found growing at the ends of the stems with 5 petals and are yellow in colour. Typically, flowering begins in June.  Mature plants often grow radiating from the center and can look like wagon wheels. 

Optimal growth conditions

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The common purslane can withstand both dry and hot conditions; however, it grows best in humid conditions and moist environments.