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Prolific Flower Color Gallery

Purslane

Portulacaceae - Purslane family

Shaggy Portulaca (Kiss-me-quick, Chisme, Moss-rose) Portulaca pilosa (Portulaca mundula)

Flower about 1/2" wide with white hairs beneath.  It blooms in bright sun.  Round succulent leaves are about 5/8" long with white hairs at base.  They turn burgundy when stressed by drought.  Sprawling plant, to about 8" wide, grows in limy sand.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, August-September 2005

(Native of Texas)

Similar Species

Moss-rose Portulaca grandiflora

This is the plant sold in stores.  Years of cultivation has made a prolific array of flower colors.

(Naturalized in some areas, native of Argentina)

Sinkerleaf Purslane (Silkcotton Purslane) Portulaca parvula (Portulaca halimoides)

Similar to P. pilosa but with pointier leaves.  (Native of Texas)

Portulacaceae - Purslane family

Common Purslane (Pulsey, Little-hogweed)  Portulaca oleracea (P. neglecta, P. retusa)

Flower is 1/8"-3/8" wide and blooms mornings, spring till frost.  The small green seedpod has lots of tiny black seeds.  Leaves are succulent, with a blunt apex or silghtly concave center.  Leaves are bright green, coo. weather tints edges red.  Leaves drop off in drought.  Reclined plant branches from base and grows branches about 12" long.  Stems are succulent.  Taproot.  Garden weed, mix of soils.

Studies have shown very high content of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants in this plant.  Young shoots can be eaten raw or boiled.  Seeds can substitute for poppy seeds.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, August & October 2005

(Introduced, possibly from the middle East, it can be found world wide)

Variation?

? Common Name **zu 1** Scientific Name

Very similar to above P. oleracea except the stems turn crimson red after a cold snap, but the above only blushes.  Leaves are also red underneith.  I do not know what color the stems were before.  Missed the flower.  Growing in limy soil.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, October 2005

(Native of ?)

Portulacaceae - Purslane family

Wing-pod Purslane Portulaca umbraticola ssp. lanceolata

Yellow petals are tipped in red or copper.  Erect plant has red stems, with leaves clustered mostly at ends.  Long, pointed leaves are not as succulent as P. oleracea.  Pod grows inside a clear ring or cup.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2006

(Native of Texas)

Similar Species

Wing-pod Purslane Portulaca umbraticola ssp. umbraticola

flower color varies from pink, purple, red or yellow

(Native of South America)

Wing-pod Purslane Portulaca umbraticola ssp. coronata

has solid yellow petals

Portulacaceae - Purslane family

Large Flowered Purslane Portulaca x Yubi

Five petal flower is about 1" wide and closes in dim lighting.  This is a cultivated variety, possibly a cross between P. oleracea and P. grandiflora .  Flowers come in a large variety of colors, most having two tones.  Fruit is in a tall cup with a shallow, four sided wing. Leaves are succulent with a pointed apex and prominent central vein.  Trailing plant.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, June 2004, October 2005

(Purchased, cultivated)

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