Portulaca oleracea

Fruit has circumcissle dehiscence. Like a ball split in half.

Seeds germinate best at alternating temperatures of 65-85 degrees F (20-30 C) (Everson 1949) or constant 85 degrees F (Povilaitis 1956). Most workers consider high temperatures to enhance germination (Chepil 1949, Everson 1949, Povilaitis 1956, Hocombe 1961). Light is believed to benefit germination (Everson 1949, Hocombe 1961). Some seeds have remained viable for up to 19 years in dry storage at room temperature (Juliano 1940).

Occurs on grassy slopes, dunes, in salt marshes, gardens, and other disturbed sites throughout Louisiana and most of Texas. This is a tenacious plant and is often found growing in cracks in the sidewalk. It is now found throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world. The young leaves are edible raw or cooked (Chase 1965). When eaten raw the leaves have a musalidge quality, much like okra. Chase reports that the seeds, when collected in significant quantity, can be used as flour. Acadians sometimes pickle the stems.

Sandy, gravelly soils along streams and on flats, fields, waste places.