Scientific Name

Portulaca bicolor

Portulaca oleracea

Portulaca pilosa

Family

Portulacaceae

Description

These prostrate herbs have succulent green to red leaves.

Portulaca bicolor has cylindrical leaves with red stems. The leaves are opposite. It flowers most of the year with yellow or purple flowers. This species is common in saltpan areas.

Portulaca oleracea has spoon-shaped leaves attached to the stem at the narrow end. This species is a low-growing prostrate form and has yellow flowers in its axils. The leaves are mostly alternate. It usually flowers between December and March.

Portulaca pilosa [an introduced species] has linear leaves and pink flowers. This species is low-growing and is found on the edge of saltpans and urban areas where the salt content of soil is high. The leaves are usually alternate. It mainly flowers between December and March.

Pigweed is common in sandy soils and can be established by seed or cuttings.

As with all succulents, the appearance of these species can vary depending on the amount of water available.

Distribution

P. pilosa and P oleracea are present along the entire Queensland coast, while P. bicolor is not found south of Bundaberg.

Flowering Period

Portulaca bicolor

Portulaca oleracea & Portulaca pilosa

Distribution

Features