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Portulaca oleracea
Little Hogweed
Purslane
Florida native
A frequent annual herb of disturbed sites throughout much of Florida. Can be found in all but the most northern reaches of North America.
Portulaca oleracea is the only Florida purslane species either lacking trichomes or with trichomes less than 1mm (less than 1/16 in.) long in the leaf axils. Stems are glabrous, prostrate and succulent to 56cm (22 in.) long. Leaves are flatted, ovate or spatulate. The flowers are3-10 mm (~1/8 to 3/8 in.) across with five petals that are notched at the tip. Little hogweed flowers are only open once in the early morning in the cluster of leaves at the end of a stem. Flowers usually have 6 to 12 stamens, sometimes more, and 3 to 6 stigmas. Fruit is an ovoid capsule 4-9mm (0.16 to 0.35 in.) in diameter containing dark seeds.
Portulaca oleracea is a member of the Portulacaceae - Purslane family.
Other species of the Portulaca genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Portulaca pilosa - PINK PURSLANE
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Mar 22, 2022
