Common Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Weed Description
Prostrate, fleshy, succulent summer annual that is able to tolerate poor, compacted soils and drought. Common purslane is a common weed of gardens, horticultural and agronomic crops and is found throughout the United States.

Seedlings
Cotyledons oblong, succulent and without hairs (glabrous). Young leaves opposite with each succeeding pair 90 degrees from the preceding pair. Young leaves maroon or maroon-tinted on lower surface.

Leaves
Alternate or opposite, 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches long, rounded at apex and narrowed to the base (spatulate). Leaves are thick, succulent and fleshy, with smooth margins.

Stems
Succulent, smooth, prostrate, much-branched, purplish-red or green, 4 to 20 inches long and without hairs.

Flowers
Yellow in color with 5 petals, 5-10 mm wide, that open only when sunny. Flowers are found alone in the leaf axils or clustered at the ends of the branches.

Fruit
An oval, many-seeded capsule (4-8 mm long by 3-5 mm wide) that splits open around the middle.

Roots
Taproot with fibrous secondary roots.

Identifying Characteristics
Prostrate growth habit in combination with the fleshy, succulent nature of this weed helps to distinguish it from most other plants.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Common Purslane

Portulaca oleracea