U of I Extension garden article

Purslane -- a summer weed?

By Jennifer Fishburn, horticulture educator, University of Illinois Extension

[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.

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.

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]