Common purslane
July 31, 2015
Print
EmailPortulaca oleracea L.
Life cycle
Prostrate, mat-forming summer annual.
Common purslane plant.
Leaves
Cotyledons are oblong, hairless and succulent. Cotyledons and young leaves are maroon-tinted on the undersides. Thick, fleshy, succulent leaves are hairless, spatula-shaped and about 1 inch long or less. Leaves are alternate but appear opposite and are often crowded near the stem tips.
Common purslane seedling.
Stems
Prostrate, purplish red or green stems have multiple branches that form circular mats. Stems are thick, fleshy, succulent and hairless and up to 20 inches long.
Flowers and fruit
Small, yellow, star-shaped flowers with five petals are produced in the leaf axils, opening only on sunny mornings. Fruit are egg-shaped capsules that split around the middle, scattering many tiny, black, shiny seeds.
Common purslane fruit.
Reproduction
Seeds.
Print a PDF of this page: Common purslane
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
Celebrating 100 years of Michigan State University Extension in Alcona County
Published on October 19, 2017
-
Implementing community vision requires detailed strategies
Published on April 1, 2016
-
Why mingle with trail-makers?
Published on October 3, 2017
-
What is, or is not, a charrette?
Published on April 25, 2025
-
LEAD forum brings leaders together to benefit four county region
Published on November 9, 2016
-
Before settling for a public hearing, consider the continuum of public involvement
Published on August 6, 2021
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.