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Portulaca
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Portulaca

Portulaca

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NamePortulaca
DescriptionCharming succulent annual celebrated for its vibrant, rose-like flowers in a rainbow of warm colors including pink, red, yellow, orange, white, and purple, blooming continuously from late spring to first frost. Native to South America, it forms a dense, low-growing mat 3-9 inches (8-23 cm) tall with fleshy, cylindrical leaves and multi-branched stems that store water for exceptional drought tolerance. Perfect for hot, dry locations, rock gardens, and containers, it thrives in full sun and poor soil where other plants struggle.
FamilyPortulacaceae
GenusPortulaca
TribePortulaceae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ☿ K2 C5 A∞ G(3-5)

Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, 2 free sepals, 5 free petals, numerous stamens, 3-5 fused carpels with superior ovary typical of Portulacaceae

Features
  • Name 'Portulaca' from Latin 'portula' (little door), referring to seed capsule opening. 'Moss Rose' describes moss-like appearance and rose-like flowers. 'Eleven o'clock' because flowers open in morning sun and close by afternoon.
  • Flowers rose-like, 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, single or double with ruffled petals. Colors: pink, red, yellow, orange, white, purple, magenta, often striped or spotted. Blooms late spring to frost. Modern hybrids stay open longer than traditional varieties.
  • Semi-succulent with fleshy, water-storing stems and leaves. Leaves cylindrical, needle-like or paddle-shaped, bright green, arranged in clusters. Stems reddish, multi-branched, trailing or creeping. Forms dense mat.
  • Size: 3-9 inches (8-23 cm) tall, spreads 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) wide. Annual in most climates, perennial in zones 10-12. Lifespan one season. Propagated by seeds, cuttings. Self-seeds readily. Fast-growing.
  • Native to South America (Argentina, southern Brazil, Uruguay). Naturalized worldwide in tropical and temperate regions. Thrives in hot, dry climates. Grows wild in disturbed areas, roadsides.
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours) for best flowering. Prefers poor to average, well-drained, sandy or rocky soil. Excellent drought tolerance once established. Struggles in heavy clay or wet soil. Heat-tolerant to 100°F+ (38°C+).
  • Attracts bees, butterflies. Provides nectar. Used in rock gardens, borders, edging, containers, hanging baskets, between pavers. Deer and rabbit resistant. Low allergen. Edible leaves (related to purslane). No deadheading needed.
  • Minimal fertilizer needed (thrives in poor soil). Water sparingly, allow soil to dry between waterings. Avoid overwatering (causes root rot). No pruning required. Watch for aphids in humid conditions. Extremely low-maintenance.

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificPortulaca
English (Alternate)Moss Rose, Sun Rose, Mexican Rose, Purslane, Pink Purslane, Hairy Pigweed, Eleven o'clock, Rock rose
Hindiसवारी / टेबल गुलाब (Sawari / Table Gulab),खुर्सा (Khursa), दस बजिया (Das Bajiya), गुल-ए-दाऊदी (Gul-e-Dawoodi)
Tamilமுக்குறுத்தி பூ (Mukkuruthi Poo), பத்து மணி செடி (Pathu Mani Chetti)
Teluguగంగవల్లి పువ్వు (Gangavalli Puvvu),Gaddi Gulabi (గడ్డి గులాబీ), Gangabayala aakulu (గంగబాయిల ఆకులు), Pappukura (పప్పుకూర)
Malayalamപുലിച്ചെടി പൂവ് (Pulicheti Poovu),പത്തുമണിപ്പൂ (Pathumani poo), പത്തുമണി ചെടി (Pathumani chedi)
Kannadaದುಬಾರಿ ಹೂವು (Dubari Hoovu),ಗೋಳಿಸೊಪ್ಪು (Goli Soppu), ಮಾಸ್ ರೋಸ್ (Moss Rose)
Sanskritलोनी (Loni), लोनिका (Lonika)
Bengaliসান রোজ / টেবিল গোলাপ (Sun Rose / Table Golap),বড়ো লোনিয়া (Baro Lonia), নুনিয়া শাক ফুল (Nunia Shak Ful)
FrenchPourpier, Pourpier fleuri
Russianпортулак (portulak), портулак огородный (ogorodnyy)
SpanishOnce de Mayo, Flor de Mayo
GermanPortulak, Portulakröschen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.