Portulaca Information

Description

• Portulaca plants are low-growing with trailing habits and mutliple stems. Individual plants will grow up to 6 inches tall and 15 inches across. The leaves are soft and succulent and quite variable between species and cultivars. Some are oval while others are cylindrical. The roselike flowers are borne on the stem tips and can be up to 3 inches in diameter in some modern varieties. Flower color is variable, with pink, red, yellow, white and orange plants available. Common purslane flowers are small and yellow.

Range

• Plants of the portulaca genus are found in arid areas all over the world. One of the most commonly cultivated species, P. grandiflora, is thought to originate in Brazil, while others come from North Africa, Asia and Australasia. Because portulacas have become naturalized so widely, the origin of each species is hard to determine.

History

• There is some evidence that portulacas were introduced to North America in pre-Colombian times and common purslane may even have been brought in by the Vikings. Common purslane seeds have been found in ancient Greek archaeological sites dating back to 700 BC.

Cultivation

• Portulacas are among the few annual succulents in cultivation and make excellent and fast-growing groundcover plants in dry areas. Portulacas grow best in well-drained soil and full sun. The flowers will not open on overcast days or in the shade. The very fine seed can be sown after the last frost, directly onto the site. In frost-free climates they may self-seed and colonize new areas. Portulacas also make good container and hanging basket plants. Stem cuttings will root spontaneously if planted in the soil.

Uses

• Portulaca oleraceae, or common purslane, is eaten extensively as a vegetable or salad leaf in Turkey, Greece and Mexico. It is the most concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids among all the green vegetables. It also contains vitamin C and vitamin B and potent antioxidants.