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Portulaca oleracea
| Family Name: | Portulacaceae |
| Common Name: | Segan, Purslane, Pussley, Pigweed, 马齿苋, 马齿菜 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical Africa, Middle East |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Spontaneous (Naturalised)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Low-growing succulent with prostrate growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Fleshy leaves are obovate to oblanceolate with smooth, reddish edges (3 cm long, 1.2 cm wide). Leaf tip is broad and rounded (obtuse to truncate). Spirally arranged leaves either lack petioles or have very short petioles, so that the leaf blade is directly attached to the stem. |
| Stems | Reddish stem is round with soft, white hairs. |
| Flowers | Small, cup-shaped flowers are composed of 5 bi-lobed, translucent petals, 1 5-lobed style and 6 - 10 stamens. Petals, style and stamens are bright yellow. |
| Fruit | Dry, dehiscent fruits are known as capsules (0.5 cm wide). Fruits are many-seeded. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Leaves and young shoots are consumed as a vegetable. The leaves are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Flower buds are added to salads. Medicinal: It is used in many countries (particularly China) as traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as colds, wounds, and diarrhea. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Suitable for Rooftops |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Runner / Stolon |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1066 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2359 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
