Common Purslane

This introduced annual plant forms a spreading mat up to 15cm tall, branching frequently at the base. The stems are round, thick, and succulent. They range in color from light green to reddish brown. The leaves are alternate or nearly opposite and sessile along the stems. Like the stems, the leaves are rather thick and succulent. They are usually shiny green, sometimes becoming reddish purple in bright sunlight. There is a tendency for the leaves to cluster toward the apex of the stems.

 

The yellow flowers occur singly or in small terminal clusters. When fully open, each flower is about 0.6cm across, consisting of 5 yellow petals. These flowers have floppy petals that open up for a few hours during bright sunny mornings. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer through the early fall and lasts about 1-2 months. Each flower is replaced by a seed capsule that splits open around the middle to release the numerous small seeds. Each seed is dark brown or black, somewhat flattened, and nearly round or kidney-shaped.