WINGPOD PURSLANE

Portulaca umbraticola (Wingpod Purslane) in the family Portulacaceae is an annual or short-lived perennial, up to 25 cm tall, often incorrectly sold under the name of Portulaca oleracea, the common purslane, often growing as a weed. This latter uncultivated species is the hybrid parent to many ornamental purslanes sold at garden centres.

The leaves of Wingpod Purslane are small, succulent, green and linear to spatulate in shape. The stems are fleshy, hairless, often reddish in colour, and prostrate, ascending, or erect. The flowers are small, up to 1.5 cm across and yellow or yellow tipped with red or copper, magenta, crimson, white or pied as seen on the hybrid below.

Portulaca plants are native to the arid areas of Central and South America and tolerate many kinds of soil but prefer sandy, well-drained soil and love the full sunlight. These plants are excellent for high heat and drought tolerance, and will seed and spread themselves very well. Some control methods may be needed to keep portulaca plants from becoming invasive to areas where they are not wanted. These wonderful plants do spread easily and very well.

Portulaca species such as Purslane require no attention at all when growing and flowering; however you should remove them from the garden before Portulaca have chance to set seed as they may take over the garden. You do not need to water often for proper Portulaca care. The cylindrical foliage of the Portulaca plants retains moisture very well, thus, regular watering is not needed. When they are watered, just a light watering will do, as their root zone is very shallow.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.