Common Purslane—Portulaca oleracea
A summer annual, common purslane grows along the ground, forming mats. It invades gardens, lawns, orchards and ornamental plantings.
Stems are thick, reddish in color, and branch out from a central point, forming a low-growing mat-like clump up to 2 feet in diameter.
Leaves are succulent, oval, smooth, and shiny, growing ½ to 2 inches long. They are green on the top and pale purple underneath.
The small, five-petaled, yellow flowers open only in sunlight. Flowers from May to November.
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Identification and Control Information
- Integrated Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals: Common Purslane (PDF) —University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Fact Sheet with Description and Management Options (PDF) —Whatcom County, Washington
More Information
- Facts on Edible Wild Greens of Maine (PDF) —University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals: Weed Management in Landscapes (PDF) —University of California
- Weeds and Your Garden brochure (PDF) —New York State IPM Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Weed Management in the Home Garden (PDF) —Iowa State University Extension
[Photos, left to right: Howard F. Schwartz, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org; Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org; Joseph LaForest, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org]