How to Identify Purslane
- 1). Look for purslane in low-nutrient soils during the warm season from late spring through early fall or possibly later in warm, frost-free climates.
- 2). Observe the growth habit, as purslane is low growing and spreading, forming a carpet of wide, smooth, juicy purple-red branching stems between 4 and 20 inches in length.
- 3). Distinguish purslane by its smooth, fleshy green leaves which are small, surfboard- to oval-shaped and 1/4 to 1 1/4 inches in length. The leaves will alternate along the length of the branches. Young purslane leaves will present with a purple-red underside similar to the stems but the topside of the leaf will be a light to medium muted green.
- 4). Check the root structure--purslane will have a large central taproot when the crown of the plant is pulled from the soil and be supported by a lacy network of fine fibrous roots.
- 5). Recognize purslane by its yellow flowers in the summer that will open during bright daylight hours and close again at night or under cloudy skies. The flowers are small, between 5 and 10 millimeters in diameter, and each have five petals.
- 6). Inspect the plant for very small seeds during the later summer after the individual flowers die back. Look for black hued, oval seeds with a wrinkled carapace and a white or light mark on one end of the seed.
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