How to Manage Pests

Identification: Weed Photo Gallery

Common purslane

Scientific name: Portulaca oleracea (Purslane Family: Portulacaceae)

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Common purslane, a summer annual broadleaf plant grows rapidly in spring and summer and is an important agricultural weed. It is found throughout California to about 4600 feet (1400 m) and is common in agricultural areas and other disturbed places. Although it thrives under dry conditions, common purslane competes well under irrigated conditions. Plants prefer loose, nutrient-rich, sandy soil. Many regional biotypes are recognized as varieties or subspecies. Common purslane's distinctive succulent foliage is unlikely to be confused with other weed species. The purslane sawfly, Schizocerella pilicornis, and a leafminer weevil, Hypurus bertrandiperris, are two accidentally introduced biological control agents that have become widespread in California. Where the purselane sawfly has been established, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has rated it as providing excellent control of common purslane populations.

Habitat

Orchards, vineyards, crop fields, landscaped areas, gardens, roadsides and other disturbed sites.

Seedling

Cotyledons (seed leaves) are egg shaped to oblong, hairless, succulent, about 1/13 to 1/5 of an inch (2–5 mm) long, and sometimes tinged red. Leaves are stalkless, or nearly so, and are opposite to one another along the stem.

Mature plant

The mature plant grows prostrate to spreading, up to 3-1/3 ft (1 m) in length, and has many succulent branches, starting from the base. Leaves are egg to spatula shaped, succulent, stalkless or have very short stalks, about 1/5 inches to 1-1/5 inches (5–30 mm) long, and sometimes their edges are red-tinged. Leaves are arranged either opposite one another or alternate along the stem.

Flower

Flowering takes place from May through September. Single flowers or clusters of two to five, are found at stem tips. The flowers are small, yellow, usually have five petals, and typically open only on hot, sunny days from midmorning to early afternoon.

Fruit

Fruit consist of almost round to egg-shaped capsules, usually about 1/6 to 1/3 of an inch (4–8 mm) long that open around the middle to release many seeds.

Seeds

Seeds are tiny, less than 1/25 of an inch (1 mm) in diameter, circular to egg shaped, flattened, and brown to black with a white point of attachment. Numerous seeds are produced.

Reproduction

Reproduces by seed and sometimes by stem fragments.

Related species/Similar looking plants

Unlikely to be confused with other weed species.

More information

• Broadleaf ID illustration
• Calflora's distribution map
• See UC IPM's Pest Management Guidelines for agricultural information
• See UC IPM's Common Purslane Pest Note for landscape information