Horse purslane, Giant pigweed
Trianthema portulacastrum

Family: Aizoaceae

What it is like

A low lying smooth branched and fleshy herb. It grows each year from seed. The stems are angular. The branches are up to 60 cm long. The leaves are opposite each other and rounded at the tip but wedge shaped at the base. They are 1 to 5 cm long. The flowers are pink and the seed capsule contains about 10 small seeds.

It is also put in the family Molluginaceae. It can become a troublesome weed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical sea coasts. It commonly occurs as a weed in the Philippines where land has recently been cleared or dug. It grows in open sunny dry sands; usually near sea or as weeds in fields. It is a tropical plant. Seeds germinate between 20°C to 45°C. In Nepal it grows up to 300 m altitude. It grows in moist unused areas. It grows well in soils with humus. Rajasthan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The branches and young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are used as a potherb. The leaves are boiled in water then mixed with salt and chilli. CAUTION: It should probably not be eaten in large amounts. Older leaves have caused paralysis. CAUTION: It may be poisonous unless properly cooked.

It is used in times of food shortage. It is cultivated in some places.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. They are sown 1 cm deep. It can also be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Adachitkana, Ambalimadu, Ambati-madu, Barsin, Bawra, Bishkapra, Charanai, Chungkueng prehs, Comida de vaca, Co tamkhoi, Desert horse purslane, Eitai, Gadabani, Gadapurina, Galijeru, Ghelijebghroo, Ghetuli, Hato, Hin sarana, Itsit, Jai hai ma chi, Khapra sag, Koppi geloodi, Kulfasag, Lal-sabuni, Lalsabuni, Lana, Muchchugoni, Ngubay gueleme, Omi guileme, Pa-yan-na-wa, Pasalaesoppu, Pasalikeera, Pathorchatta, Pollito yuyo, Pundharighentuli, Rogon yara, Safed, Santhi, Santo, Sata, Seto punarnava, Shaaranaj, Shanti, Sharunnai, Sharunnay, Shavalai, Svet-sa-buni, Topotiro, Toston, Totson, Ulisman, Upothaki, Vaca micuna, Vasu, Vattachanathi keerai, Verdolaga blanca, Verdolaga de caballo, Verdolaga rastrera

Synonyms

Trianthema monogyna L.; Trianthema obcordata Roxb.;