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GENERAL
Origin
:
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid, very
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
direct sowing,
layer
Maintenance :
high
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (3000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
annual
Height
:
0.05 m-0.15 m
Spread
:
0.2 m-0.5 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
red, centre:
yellow
Size
:
2 cm
Period
:
April - August
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
0.5 cm
Purslane is a common annual herb, native to the southwestern United States, which is a somewhat
weedy species of the desert at higher elevations. It is sometimes confused with Portulaca oleracea,
or common Purslane; P. umbraticola is easily distinguished by the prominent margin on the fruit
capsule. A succulent, low-growing prostrate plant up to 15 cm high, the leaves are green, linear
in shape, and the ascending stems are fleshy, hairless and often reddish in colour. The red flowers
are 2 cm across with rounded petals, yellow at their base. They are in bloom from spring to au-
tumn, but are open only part of the day. A wide range of flower colours of cultivars are available:
in the Yubi series, there are eight clear colours: white, yellow, light pink, pink, rose, red, scarlet
and apricot. They are followed by seed capsules encircled by crown-like, pale green, translucent,
wings. P. umbraticola thrives in hot, dry conditions and spreads rapidly to become 50 cm across.
Plants will reseed themselves in late spring; they are killed by the first heavy frost. A slow-release
fertiliser in mid-summer or fertilising every two weeks is necessary. Extremely drought-tolerant,
they require only very moderate watering to look good. They will grow in either average to poor,
well-drained garden soil in full sunlight. Maintenance is high with weeding and replacement:
in midsummer, plants can be cut back by about 50 percent to encourage new growth and more
flowers. When mass planted, P. umbraticola makes a dramatic impact in desert gardens.
243
Portulaca umbraticola,
Portulacaceae
Wingpod Purslane