Thick-Leafed Plant

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by SvenLittkowski, May 28, 2010.

  1. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Active Member

    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, Jamaica
    Hi,

    this plant grows at my place, and I wonder if anyone might know what type of plant this is.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    4,398
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Austin, Tx
    Portulaca sp. I believe.
     
  3. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Active Member

    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, Jamaica
    Yes, might. Thanks. How sure is your guess?
     
  4. thanrose

    thanrose Active Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    800
    Likes Received:
    55
    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL USA USDA Zone 9
    http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/images/por_ole_fl.jpg

    Check out the pic, Sven. I'd be pretty sure, too. You could wait for the flower, but it looks like Portulaca spp. I'm betting Portulaca oleracea.

    P. oleracea will sometimes have larger flowers, sometimes pink or coral flowers, and the spatulate or obovate leaves are somewhat variable in thickness, succulence, and color tinge. It's just that it's ubiquitous, very common throughout the world. Vigorous grower, persistent, hitchhiking, growing in waste places and sidewalk cracks as well as gardens.

    It's eaten in many cultures. Many cultivars for food crops, too. I eat the ones in my yard. A little lemony, a little mucilaginous, but mostly I just pick leaves and put on salads. Usually it's the stems people are after, though.
     
  5. SvenLittkowski

    SvenLittkowski Active Member

    Messages:
    175
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, Jamaica
    Yeah, I saw already at Wikipedia that people eat parts of this plant. Thanks a lot for all the answers in this thread. I appreciate your assistance. Maybe I will gnarl its leafs, too - who knows..?
     

Share This Page