Hairy portulaca
Portulaca pilosa

Family: Portulacaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It is soft and succulent. It has a taproot and can keep growing for a few years. It lies along the ground. It is 5-20 cm high and 30-50 cm wide. The leaves are narrow and hairy. They are 10-20 mm long by 1-4 mm wide. The flowers are pink or yellow. They are small and about 2 cm across. The fruit is a straw yellow capsule with very tiny seeds.

There are about 200 Portulaca species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in a range of tropical places. It grows near rocks along rocky coastlines. It is common in dry open places. It needs well drained soil and a sunny position. It can grow in arid places. It can grow in salty soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Malaysia, Mexico (country/location of origin), Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Tokelau, Tropical America, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are bitter. They are cooked and eaten and also used for herbal tea. The leaves are used as a green vegetable. The root tubers are used for savoury preparations.

Edible parts

Seeds, tuber, root, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

'akulikuli, Djanggara, Mao ma chi zian, Pilnanginma, Safed mushali, Sam long, Tamole

Synonyms

Portulaca talmyana Gagn.; Portulaca pilosa subsp. pilosa Geesink; Portulaca eriophora Casar.; Portulaca lanata Rich.; Portulaca lanuginosa Crantz; Portulaca lanuginosa (country/location of origin) H.B. & K.; Portulaca pilosa var. setacea DC.; Portulaca sedoides Spruce ex Rohrb.; Portulaca teretifolia H. B. & K.;