Portulaca lutea

Solander ex Forst.

Yellow purslane

Portulacaceae Edible: Leaves 41 iNaturalist observations

Has toxic lookalike — see comparison below

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Portulaca lutea, the native yellow purslane, is a species of Portulaca that is indigenous to all of the main islands of Hawaii except for Kaua'i and is widespread throughout the Pacific Islands.

Description

A herb that lies along the ground. It can be 15-30 cm high. The stems are red. The leaves are 25 mm long by 15 mm wide. The flower petals are yellow. They are in groups of 1-3. The fruit is pale yellow. It has a cap that splits off. There are many tiny black seeds.

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

It is eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. They are common on atolls. It grows near sea level on sand or coral beaches. It grows from sea level to 40 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Kiribati, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Pacific, Pitcairn, Polynesia, Rotuma, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can also be grown from tip cuttings 5-10 cm long. These form roots in about 2 weeks.

Propagation

Seed - the tiny seeds should be sown on the surface of a moist but well-drained potting soil and not be allowed to dry out. Tip cuttings root very easily. The cuttings should be 5 - 12cm long, with the lower leaves removed. Place in a sandy medium and rooting should take place within 2 weeks.

Notes

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

Dangerous Lookalikes

This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.

TOXIC

Spotted Spurge

Euphorbia maculata

Hardyplants at English Wikipedia

Safe

Yellow purslane

Portulaca lutea

Spotted Spurge: Milky white latex sap when broken, thinner leaves often with dark spot, prostrate growth, tiny flowers.

Yellow purslane: Clear sap, thick succulent leaves, reddish smooth stems, yellow flowers.

Synonyms

Portulaca fosbergii Poelin. var. substellata Poelin.

Also Known As

Kiran, Pacific pigweed, Paka loa noa, Pokea, Po'ea, Purya, Tamole, Te boi

References (7)

Barrau, J., 1976, Subsistence Agriculture in Polynesia and Micronesia. Bernice P. Bishop Museu, Bulletin 223 Honolulu Hawaii. Kraus reprint. p 58
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 512
Massal, E. and Barrau, J., 1973, Food Plants of the South Sea Islands. SPC Technical Paper No 94. Nounea, New Caledonia. p 35
Parham, B. E. V., 1972, Plants of Samoa. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Information Series. No. 85 p 122
Smith, A.C., 1981, Flora Vitiensis Nova, Lawaii, Kuai, Hawaii, Volume 2 p 276

Show all 7 references

Thaman, R. R, 2016, The flora of Tuvalu. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 611. Smithsonian Institute p 107
Whistler, A. S., Edible vascular plants of the Line Islands. Pacific Health Dialog. Vol. 3 No. 2