Portulaca
purslane; the typical genus of the Portulacaceæ; low, succulent herbs with flat or cylindrical leaves, and yellow, purplish, or rose-colored ephemeral flowers. Known species between 30 and 40; most of them from the warmer parts of America. P. oleracea is the common purslane. It is a low, succulent annual, often eaten by the Hindus as a potherb. P. quadrifida, also Indian, is eaten and considered cooling by the natives. The fresh leaves of both species are used as an external application in erysipelas, etc., and an infusion of them as a diuretic.
PORTULACACEÆ or PORTULA- CEA, purslanes; an order of hypogynous exogens, alliance Silenales. Succulent herbs or shrubs, generally with alternate, entire leaves; axillary or terminal flowers, which expand only in bright sunshine. Sepals two; petals five, distinct, or joined into a tube; stamens varying in number; carpels three or more; ovary and capsule one-celled, the latter dehiscing transversely, or by valves (Lindley). Known genera 15, species 125 (Sir Joseph Hooker).