Portulaca pilosa
L.
Hairy portulaca
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPortulaca pilosa is a species of flowering succulent plant in the purslane family, Portulacaceae, which is native to the Americas. Its common names include pink purslane, kiss-me-quick and hairy pigweed. Its range extends from the southern United States and the Caribbean to as far south as Brazil. It is a succulent plant with linear leaves and pink flowers.
Description
An annual herb. It is soft and succulent. It has a taproot and can keep growing for a few years. It lies along the ground. It is 5-20 cm high and 30-50 cm wide. The leaves are narrow and hairy. They are 10-20 mm long by 1-4 mm wide. The flowers are pink or yellow. They are small and about 2 cm across. The fruit is a straw yellow capsule with very tiny seeds.
Edible Uses
The leaves are cooked as a green vegetable, used for bitter herbal tea, and eaten in various preparations. The root tubers are used in savory dishes. Seeds are also edible.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are bitter. They are cooked and eaten and also used for herbal tea. The leaves are used as a green vegetable. The root tubers are used for savoury preparations.
Medicinal Uses
It has been said that the species of Portulaca pilosa in Brazil has been used as a traditional remedy to cause diuresis, antipyresis and analgesia. Studies have shown that its extracts have renal effects. It has also been seen that in rats, such extracts cause an increase in potassium excretion without a concomitant change in water diuresis or sodium excretion.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in a range of tropical places. It grows near rocks along rocky coastlines. It is common in dry open places. It needs well drained soil and a sunny position. It can grow in arid places. It can grow in salty soils.
Where It Grows
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Botswana, Brazil, Central America*, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Malaysia, Mexico*, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America*, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Tokelau, Tropical America, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Indies,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seed.
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.
Spotted Spurge
Euphorbia maculata
Hardyplants at English Wikipedia
Hairy portulaca
Portulaca pilosa
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Spotted Spurge: Milky white latex sap when broken, thinner leaves often with dark spot, prostrate growth, tiny flowers.
Hairy portulaca: Clear sap, thick succulent leaves, reddish smooth stems, yellow flowers.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62.8 | 432 | 103 | 1.8 | — | — | 21.8 | 1.4 | — |
Synonyms
Also Known As
'akulikuli, Djanggara, Mao ma chi zian, Pilnanginma, Safed mushali, Sam long, Tamole
References (31)
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