Small-leaved purslane
Portulaca quadrifida

Family: Portulacaceae

What it is like

An annual creeping herb. It is weak and fleshy. The stems curl backwards. They form roots at the nodes. The leaves occur opposite each other. They are flat and oval and 4-8 mm long by 2-5 mm wide. The flowers occur singly at the tips of the branches. There are 4-5 white leaves around them. The flowers are yellow. The fruit capsule is yellow and has a lid. The capsule is 2.5 mm across and round. The seeds are very small.

2n = 18. There are about 200 Portulaca species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on sand and in wayside drains and grassland. It grows in dry waste places. It grows between 50-1,750 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It is highly salt tolerant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Congo, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominican Republic (country/location of origin), East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico (country/location of origin), Micronesia, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Yap, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and used in preparing bread from millet. The whole plant is also boiled and used as a vegetable. It is also used for chutney. CAUTION: It is claimed this plant should not be eaten in large amounts. It probably accumulates nitrates and probably contains oxalates. Changing the cooking water could reduce these.

It is a minor vegetable but important when other vegetables are short.

Edible parts

Leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Fresh seeds need light to germinate. It can be grown from segments.

Its other names

Local names

Addo tatxa arxa, Amalenyane, Anuer, Anyuera, Ban tieng, Bhuichauli, Bwanda, Chinguru, Chinnaparpukkirai, Chota luniya, Chotalunia, Chounlayi, Chul ghul, Dhuras, Emahenjana, Emalenyane, Gholu, Goddu pavelli, Goddupavili kura, Golgola sag, Gooni soppu, Hali dajjuli, Halibachcheli, Jhiniluni, Kathechanvel, Khate chawal, Khatechan val, Kiwa, Kolfa, Kremi, Kunor, Kura, Laghulonika, Linyanjani, Lonak, Loniya, Loonk, Loranki, Lornak booti, Lunak, Luni, Lunki, Mahenjani, Maraeitta, Mecheritta, Memaniran puteh, Meredheta, Mereqita, Mergude, Mulaza, Muleza, Mya-byit, Mya-byit-gale, Myeyane, N'hocalaolo, Nacha goli, Neelakeera, Nuniya, Pak bia lek, Pakharai, Paruppukeerai, Passelie keeray, Pavili, Payala, Ranghol, Rejela, Rumput segan, Sam nho, Sanimarumbi, Seresere, Si ban ma chi xian, Sun pail kura, Suni ara, Tsoralle, Uppadkyi, Vothung mekvoke-er, Wakhorai, Wild purslane, Zangali warkhrhay

Synonyms

Portulaca quadrifida Linnaeus var. formosana Hayata; Portulaca formosana (Hayata) Hayata; Portulaca microphylla A. Rich.; Illecebrum verticillatum Burm. f.; Meridiana quadrifida Poir.; Portulaca anceps A. Rich.; Portulaca diptera Zipp. ex Sparo; Portulaca quadrifida var. meridiana DC.; Portulaca repens Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.; Portulaca foliosa Bak. f.; Portulaca geniculata Royle; Portulaca linifolia Forssk.; Portulaca meridiana Linn. f.; Portulaca walteriana Poelln.;