Portulaca retusa

Engelm.

Little hogweed

Portulacaceae Edible: Leaves, Seed

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Deaver Herbarium

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Botanical Research Institute of Texas

gbif· cc0

Botanical Research Institute of Texas

Description

Portulaca retusa is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Seed - raw or cooked. Ground into a powder and used as a mush.

Distribution

Eastern N. America - Missouri to Arkansas and Texas, west to Nevada.

Where It Grows

Coming Soon

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed outdoors in Britain, though we feel it should be possible to grow it either as a hardy or a half-hardy annual. According to the Flora of N. America, this species is no more than a synonym of P. oleracea. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a rather dry poor soil in full sun.