Common Purslane: Portulaca oleracea
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Weed Description:
Prostrate, fleshy, succulent summer annual that is able to tolerate poor, compacted soils
and drought. Common purslane is a common weed of gardens, horticultural and
agronomic crops and is found throughout the United States. Roots: Taproot with fibrous secondary roots. |
| Seedling: Cotyledons oblong, succulent and without hairs (glabrous). Young leaves opposite with each succeeding pair 90° from the preceding pair. Young leaves maroon or maroon-tinted on lower surface. |  |
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Leaves: Alternate
or opposite, 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches long, rounded at apex and narrowed to the base
(spatulate). Leaves are thick, succulent and fleshy, with smooth margins. Stems: Succulent, smooth, prostrate, much-branched, purplish-red or green, 4 to 20 inches long and without hairs. |
| Flowers: Yellow in
color with 5 petals, 5-10 mm wide, that open only when sunny. Flowers are found
alone in the leaf axils or clustered at the ends of the branches. Fruit: An oval, many-seeded capsule (4-8 mm long by 3-5 mm wide) that splits open around the middle. Identifying Characteristics: Prostrate growth habit in combination with the fleshy, succulent nature of this weed helps to distinguish it from most other plants. |
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