Rose moss, Sun plant
Portulaca grandiflora

Family: Portulacaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows each year from seed. It grows 10-30 cm high. It spreads 15-30 cm wide. The stems lie along the ground. They are purple-red and with many branches. There are hairs clustered at the nodes. The leaves are crowded at the tips of the stem. The leaves are 10-25 mm long by 2-3 mm wide. The flowers are large. They are 2-4 cm across. They open at midday. The flowers can be red, purple, yellow or white. The fruit is a capsule with very small seeds. They are kidney shaped and less than 1 mm across.

Used as a medicine in Indonesia. There are about 200 Portulaca species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics. It is ornamental and medicinal in China.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It is best in dry poor soil. They can tolerate drought. It is damaged by frost. It needs well-drained soil. It needs full sun. It is cultivated in China. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Central Asia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Europe, Fiji, France, Ghana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Kiribati, Korea, Lesser Antilles, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Middle East, Myanmar, Nauru, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Tajikistan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw or cooked. They can be ground into powder and used in soups. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The root is eaten cooked. Caution: It can contain oxalates.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed are scattered and simply pressed into the soil lightly. Seedlings can be transplanted. Plants are spaced 15 cm apart.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Ban zhi lian, Da hua ma chi xian, Debois, Doboiy, Eleven-O'Clock, Garden portulaca, Goduma payala, Katuli, Le-nhi, Moss rose, Muoi-gio, Portulaka, Taing-lon-chantha, Te Boi, Velecvetni tolščak

Synonyms

Portulaca megalantha Steud.; Portulaca multistaminata Poelln.; Portulaca caryophylloides Hort. ex Vilm.; Portulaca gilliesii Engelm.; Portulaca hilaireana G. Don; Portulaca immerso-stellata Poelln.; Portulaca mendocinensis Gill. ex Rohrb.; Portulaca pilosa Linnaeus ssp. grandiflora (Hooker) Geesink.;