Scientific Family
Portulacaceae
Synonyms
Portulaca neglecta, Portulaca retusa
Other common names
purslane
pursley
wild portulaca
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 6 inches
Riparian
No
A low growing and spreading plant that forms a mat. Occasionally erect. Has a tap root. Considered to be weedy and
invasive.
No hairs in the leaf axils and a hairy inflorescence and bluntly glandular seeds distinguishes this from other Portulaca sp.
Habitat
Appears in meadows and in clearings of Ponderosa forests. Also found in overgrazed and cultivated areas and along roadsides.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flower is 1/4 inch wide with five petals. Can appear singly or in small clusters in leaf axils or at stem tips.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Other
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
To 1-1/2 inches wide. Can appear with reddish margins. Leaves are thick, smooth, succulent and shiny. Have a wedge-like shape with a rounded tip. Stems are up to 2 feet long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules are ovoid to about 1/4 inch in size.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Black or dark brown
Seeds are black or dark brown, rounded to elongated and flattened.