- purslane
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/perrs"layn, -lin/, n.1. a low, trailing plant, Portulaca oleracea, having yellow flowers, used as a salad plant and potherb. Cf. purslane family.2. any other plant of the purslane family.[1350-1400; ME purcelan(e) < MF porcelaine < LL porcillagin- (s. of porcillago), for L porcillaca, var. of PORTULACA PORTULACA]
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▪ plantany of certain small, fleshy annual plants of the genus Portulaca (40–100 species), of the family Portulacaceae. The plants have prostrate, often reddish stems, with spoon-shaped leaves and flowers that open in the sunlight. The common purslane (P. oleracea), or pusley, is a widespread weed, recognizable by its small yellow flowers. P. oleracea sativa, known as kitchen garden pusley, is grown to some extent as a potherb, mostly in Europe. Rose moss (P. grandiflora), a trailing fleshy species, is cultivated as a garden ornamental for its brightly coloured, sometimes doubled flowers. All plants of the genus are known for their persistence; they grow well even in dry waste soil and can retain enough moisture to bloom and ripen seeds long after they have been uprooted. The capsules, which open by a lid, scatter many small seeds of great longevity.The purslane tree (Portulacaria afra), native to South Africa, is a fleshy-leaved, soft-wooded tree up to 4 metres (12 feet) high. It is grown in California as a specimen plant for its succulent habit and its tiny pink flowers that grow in clusters; it is also cultivated widely as an indoor potted plant.* * *
Universalium. 2010.