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Purslane – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.

Large (radius) Purslane plant

Purslane plant (Portulaca oleracea)

Purslane spreading plantThe Purslane plant, also known as Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed, and Pusley, is one of the healthiest “weeds” you can eat.  It grows and spreads close to the ground forming a dense mat and is seldom more than a few centimeters tall. Its smooth reddish stems extend from a central rooting point radiating out like spokes on a bicycle wheel.  Purslane leaves are stalkless, fleshy, oval, smooth, shiny, and often tinged with red. It has paddle-shaped alternate (occasionally arranged opposite) leaves, 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) or less long, clustered at the tips of the stems. Its five-petaled flowers are yellow or pink and can appear at any time of the year. Its seeds are tiny (about 1/64 inch) and black and formed in a tiny pod that opens with a lid-like top when the seeds are mature.

Where to Purslane plants in the wild

Purslane plants are found in many parts of the world, including North Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They are commonly found in fields, gardens, and disturbed soils, as well as in waste areas and along roadsides. Purslane is a hardy plant that can adapt to a variety of growing conditions and can thrive in both hot and dry or moist and cool environments. In some regions, it is considered a weed, while in others, it is cultivated as a food crop or used for its medicinal properties.

Edible parts of Purslane plants

Cultivated Purslane in a potAll parts of the plant are edible – the stems, leaves, seeds, and flower buds are edible. Wash and boil the plants for a tasty vegetable or eat them raw. Eaten as a leaf vegetable, it has a sour, salty, peppery taste.  Use the seeds as a flour substitute or eat them raw.

Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant (including spinach).  The extraordinary level of EPA is higher than fish, algae, and flax seeds.  It contains vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, as well as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron.

When harvested in the early morning, the leaves have ten times the malic acid content as when harvested in the late afternoon, and thus have a significantly tangier taste.

Other uses for Purslane plants

Purslane leaves can be used to treat insect or snake bites on the skin, boils, sores, and bug stings.

Purslane has several medicinal properties and has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining good heart health. Purslane is also a natural diuretic and can help reduce inflammation and pain.

Purslane is used in some cosmetic products, such as creams and lotions, due to its high concentration of antioxidants. These antioxidants can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals and UV rays.

Purslane plant picture identification guide

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