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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Portulaca is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
It is frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[105, 161, 177]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used in soups etc, or can be added to cereals[105, 161, 177]. The seed is very small and fiddly to utilize. Root - cooked[177].

References More on Edible Uses

Composition

Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.

Leaves (Dry weight)

270 Calories per 100g
Water : 0%
Protein: 26g; Fat: 4g; Carbohydrate: 50g; Fibre: 11.5g; Ash: 20g;
Minerals - Calcium: 1500mg; Phosphorus: 550mg; Iron: 29mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 55mg; Potassium: 1800mg; Zinc: 0mg;
Vitamins - A: 15000mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.35mg; Riboflavin (B2): 1.4mg; Niacin: 6mg; B6: 0mg; C: 250mg;
Reference: [ 218]
Notes: The figures given here are the median of a very wide range quoted in the report.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

The entire plant is depurative[176]. It is used in the treatment of hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver with ascites, swelling and pain in the pharynx[176]. The fresh juice of the leaves and stems is applied externally as a lotion to snake and insect bites, burns, scalds and eczema[176, 238].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rather dry poor soil in full sun[1, 200]. Succeeds in a hot dry position, and dislikes wet soils[K]. Although a perennial when grown in warmer climates than Britain, it is best treated as a half-hardy annual in this country[1]. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value[188].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse, pricking out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in situ in late spring, though the plants will not grow so large this way.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Argentina, Paraguay (s.?), Uruguay

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Calandrinia balonensis		Annual/Perennial	0.1	-		L	N	DM	2	0
Calandrinia ciliata	Redmaids, Fringed redmaids	Annual	0.3	0-0		LM	N	DM	2	0	0
Calandrinia ciliata menziesii	Redmaids	Annual	0.1	-		L	N	DM	2	0
Calandrinia polyandra	Parakeelya	Annual/Perennial	0.1	-		LM	N	DM	2	0
Calandrinia remota		Annual/Perennial	0.1	-		L	N	DM	2	0
Claytonia acutifolia	Bering Sea Spring Beauty	Perennial	0.2	-		LM	N	M	3	0
Claytonia caroliniana	Broad-Leaved Spring Beauty, Carolina springbeauty	Perennial	0.1	5-9		LM	N	M	3	0	1
Claytonia exigua	Pale Spring Beauty, Serpentine springbeauty	Annual	0.1	0-0		LMH	FSN	DM	2	0
Claytonia lanceolata	Lanceleaf Spring Beauty, Idaho springbeauty, Pacific springbeauty, Peirson's springbeauty	Perennial	0.2	4-8		LM	N	M	3	0
Claytonia megarhiza	Alpine Spring Beauty	Perennial	0.2	4-8		LM	N	M	3	0
Claytonia perfoliata	Miner's Lettuce	Annual	0.2	6-10		LMH	FSN	DM	4	1	2
Claytonia scammaniana	Scamman's Claytonia, Scamman's springbeauty	Perennial	0.2	0-0		LM	N	M	2	0
Claytonia sibirica	Pink Purslane, Siberian springbeauty	Annual/Perennial	0.2	3-7		LMH	FSN	DM	4	1	3
Claytonia tuberosa	Tuberous Spring Beauty	Perennial	0.2	4-8		LM	N	M	3	0
Claytonia umbellata	Great Basin Spring Beauty	Perennial	0.2	-		LM	N	M	2	0
Claytonia virginica	Spring Beauty, Virginia springbeauty, Hammond's claytonia, Yellow Virginia springbeauty	Perennial	0.2	5-7	M	LM	S	M	3	1
Lewisia brachycalyx	Shortsepal lewisia	Perennial	0.2	4-8	S	LM	N	M	2	0
Lewisia columbiana	Columbian Bitterroot, Columbian lewisia, Wallowa lewisia	Perennial	0.2	4-8	S	LM	SN	M	2	0
Lewisia pygmaea	Pigmy Bitterroot, Alpine lewisia	Perennial	0.1	3-7		LM	N	M	2	0
Lewisia rediviva	Bitter-Root	Perennial	0.1	4-8		LM	N	M	2	2
Montia fontana	Water Blinks, Annual water minerslettuce	Annual/Perennial	0.5	0-0		LMH	SN	MWeWa	2	0
Portulaca grandiflora	Rose Moss	Annual	0.2	-		LM	N	DM	2	2
Portulaca oleracea	Green Purslane, Little hogweed	Annual	0.3	3-12	F	LM	N	M	4	3	2
Portulaca oleracea sativa	Golden Purslane	Annual	0.3	-		LM	N	M	4	3
Portulaca retusa	Little hogweed	Annual	0.2	0-0		LM	N	DM	2	0
Sesuvium portulacastrum	Sea Purslane, Shoreline seapurslane	Perennial	0.2	8-10		LMH	SN	M	3	2	3
Talinum aurantiacum	Orange Flameflower	Perennial	0.4	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Portulaca - Hook.