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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Portulaca_grandiflora 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

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

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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
Portulaca grandiflora	Rose Moss	Annual	0.2	-		LM	N	DM	2	2

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_grandiflora - Hook.