Family Index

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Scientific Name

Portulaca oleracea

Family Name

PORTULACACEAE

Common Name

Pigweed, Purslane, Munyeroo

Status

Height

prostrate

Flowers

Yellow flowers, with 4-6 petals joined at the base, may be solitary or a few together

Fruit

Woody capsule

Form

A n annual herb with purplish, spreading stems

Municipalities

Break O'Day; Central Highlands; Launceston; Northern Midlands

Communities

Floodplains

Habitat Notes

Locally common as a weed in cultivated ground; prominent on floodplains.

Site Tolerance

Moist

Frost Tolerance

Soil Tolerance

Fertile; Loam; Phosphorous intolerant; Poorly-drained; Well-drained

General Notes

All parts of the plant are edible and may be eaten raw or cooked, and were frequently eaten by Aborigines, especially the seeds. Suitable below powerlines.

Propagation Details

Propagation Calendar

Flowering Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Collecting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sowing Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Cutting Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Seeds are black and shiny

Seed Treatment Method

Standard

Seed Storage Life

Viable Seeds Per Gram

Seed Treatment Notes

May be grown from seed.

Germination Time

Suitable for Direct Seeding

Cuttings

Expected Time to Take Root

Expected Time to Plant Out

Propagation by Division N.B. Transplant only from nearby to avoid disease.

Cutting Notes

Can be grown from cuttings.