U of I
Extension garden article
Purslane -- a summer weed?
By Jennifer Fishburn, horticulture
educator, University of Illinois Extension
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[July
25, 2013]
One of the most dreaded weeds in
my vegetable garden is purslane. It is fairly easy to pull out, but
if you leave just one piece of root or stem, it will come right
back.
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Common purslane, also called little hogweed, is a summer annual that
has thick, succulent leaves and stems. Leaves are fleshy with smooth
margins, 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches long and wedge-shaped (rounded at the
tip and narrow at the base). Stems are purplish-red to green.
Flowers are yellow with five petals that open only when sunny. The
plant grows to about 8 inches tall and has a prostrate growth habit,
having a mat appearance. Visit the U of I Midwestern Turfgrass Weed
Identification website for photos:
http://www.turf.uiuc.edu/weed_web/index.htm. While many think
of purslane, Portulaca oleracea, as a rapidly growing weed,
some consider it a nutritious green vegetable. Purslane contains
beta carotene, magnesium and potassium and is low in calories.
Many cultures enjoy purslane as a food. It is popular in many
Latin American countries and eaten as a salad green in France and
other European countries. In Latin America, purslane is known as
verdolaga. It is believed to be native to India or Iran but can be
found throughout the world.
While the weed form of common purslane can be eaten, Johnny's
Selected Seeds offers seeds for a cultivated variety. Goldberg
Golden purslane, Portulaca oleracea sativa, has succulent 1
1/2-inch golden-green leaves and orange stems on upright plants. The
plant is larger than the wild form and the leaves are crisp and
mild.
Purslane is a summer annual that reproduces from seeds or stem
pieces. If you consider purslane to be a weed, the No. 1 control
recommendation is, don't let it go to seed. About three weeks after
the seedling emerges, the plant flowers and sets seeds. When hand
pulling, make sure to remove the weed from the garden, as it can
easily re-root itself. Hoeing or tilling this weed results in plant
multiplication rather than plant removal.
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Seeds have been known to remain viable for more than 30 years in
undisturbed soil. The seeds are often brought to the soil surface by
tilling. Purslane seeds germinate best with soil temperatures of 90
degrees. Since seeds don't germinate well when more than 1/2-inch
deep, mulching may help to control germination.
Purslane grows well anywhere but is often found in sunny, fertile
garden soil. It has succulent characteristics and once established
is very drought-tolerant. This could explain why it is the only
thing growing in my garden.
The taste is said to be similar to watercress or spinach. Before
adding this plant to your salad, make sure to properly identify it.
Also, as with any new food, sample a small portion the first time
you eat it. Purslane is best eaten fresh and should be washed
thoroughly just prior to using. For purslane recipes, visit
Prairieland Community Supported Agriculture website at
http://www.prairielandcsa.org/
recipes/purslane.html.
[By JENNIFER FISHBURN,
University of Illinois Extension]
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