Purslane

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is an annual succulent in the family Portulacaceae, which may reach 40 cm (16 in) in height. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and Persia, and has spread throughout much of the world.

Description

Purslane has smooth, reddish, mostly prostrate stems and alternate leaves clustered at stem joints and ends. The yellow flowers have five regular parts and are up to 6 mm (0.24 in) wide. Depending upon rainfall, the flowers appear at any time during the year. The flowers open singly at the center of the leaf cluster for only a few hours on sunny mornings. Seeds are formed in a tiny pod, which opens when the seeds are mature. Purslane has a taproot with fibrous secondary roots and is able to tolerate poor, compacted soils and drought.

Cultivation and uses

Purslane is widely used in East Mediterranean countries. Archaeobotanical finds are common at many prehistoric sites. In historic contexts, seeds have been recovered from a protogeometric layer in Kastanas, as well as from the Samian Heraion dating to seventh century BC. In the fourth century BC, Theophrastus names purslane, andrachne, as a summer pot herb, while Pliny the Elder reports it was grown by the Romans as a food plant.

Nutritional value

Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid in particular) than any other leafy vegetable plant. Studies have found that Purslane has 0.01 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This is an extraordinary amount of EPA for a land-based vegetable source. EPA is an Omega-3 fatty acid found mostly in fish, some algae, and flax seeds.

See also

• List of beneficial weeds
• List of companion plants
• List of edible flowers
• List of plants with edible leaves
• List of vegetables

External links

• Plants For A Future: Portulaca oleracea
• ITIS Standard Report Page: Portulaca oleracea

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