Family:
Portulacaceae
Toxic Parts:
all
Toxins:
soluble oxalates
Flower Color:
  • flower color
  • flower color
  • flower color
Found:
gardens

Time of Greatest Risk

JFMAMJJASOND

Geographical Distribution

Purslane distribution - United States

Purslane

Portulaca oleracea

Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed, Common Purslane, Moss Rose, Rock Moss
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Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a summer annual broadleaf plant that is native to Persia. It has smooth purplish red prostrate stems that sprout up from a single taproot. There are clusters of small oval leaves at the ends of the branches. P. oleracea is grown as a vegetable (stems and leaves) in some parts of the world and grows in both cold and warm climates. Flowers only bloom for a few hours in the middle of the day when it is warmest.

Toxic components
All parts of P. oleracea contains oxalic acid (oxalates), alkaloids and cardiac glycosides.
Purslane horses