What are the common cultivated varieties of purslane? An overview of the latest varieties

Purslane, an annual herb, is cultivated throughout the country. The whole plant can be used medicinally, with effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, detoxifying and reducing swelling, reducing inflammation, quenching thirst, and promoting urination. The seeds have the effect of improving eyesight, and it can be used as veterinary medicine and pesticide, while its tender stems and leaves can be used as a vegetable. It has a wide range of uses and significant economic benefits, and many people like to grow it. So what are the common cultivated varieties? Do you know? Let's take a look together.

1. Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

Moss rose is native to Brazil and is now often cultivated in parks and flower gardens in our country. It is a beautiful flowering plant with strong reproductive capacity and can be propagated by sowing and cuttings. The plant height is 10-30cm, and the flower diameter can reach 5cm. The flowers come in various colors, with single and double flower forms. As long as the climate is warm, it can bloom all year round. The whole plant can be used medicinally, with effects of dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, clearing heat, and detoxifying and reducing swelling, and is used for sore throat, burns, and bruises.

2. Hairy purslane (Portulaca pilosa)

Hairy purslane is an annual or perennial herb with a plant height of 5-20cm. It has many branches and stems, mostly spreading on the ground. The flower diameter is about 2cm and is reddish-purple, with a relatively short flowering period from May to August. It generally grows in seaside sandy areas and open ground, has strong drought tolerance, and prefers environments with sufficient light.

3. Portulaca grandiflora (rose moss)

Portulaca grandiflora is a relatively famous variety among purslanes. It is an erect herb with a plant height of 15-20cm, unbranched or with few branches, and square stems that are hairless. It is also known as sun flower and pine-leaf peony, because it only blooms in environments with sufficient light, and when it blooms it looks very much like a peony. It has many flower colors and also has two flower forms, single and double, and multiple colors can appear on the same flower. It has high ornamental value. The whole plant can be used medicinally, with effects of cooling blood and detoxifying, reducing swelling, and clearing heat and draining dampness, and can treat conditions such as vomiting blood, sore throat, lung abscess, boils, pestilence, and snake bites.

4. Purple rice grains

Also known as rice-grain flower, purple rice, and purple pearl, it is a succulent plant from South America, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, and other places. Its appearance is somewhat similar to Portulaca grandiflora, as if Portulaca grandiflora had been shrunk. Its leaves are rice-grain shaped. During cool periods, under sunlight, they slowly turn purplish-red and also develop a purple halo, which is why it is named purple rice grains.

The above is an introduction to the common cultivated varieties of purslane. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.