Common Purslane
A Resilient Summer Annual
Reproduction and Adaptability
Prolific Seed Production and Regrowth: A single purslane plant can produce up to 240,000 seeds annually. These seeds can remain viable for up to 40 years. Severed stems can form new roots, enabling the weed to regrow from stem or root fragments. Purslane uniquely switches its photosynthesis method under short days or drought stress, enhancing its survival in arid conditions.
Edible and Ornamental Uses
Beyond a Weed: Interestingly, purslane is edible and often found in crunchy salads or ethnic cuisine. It’s also cultivated for ornamental purposes.
Identification of Purslane
Distinctive Features: Purslane has fleshy, smooth leaves and stems, with leaves being green with a red margin and rounded at the tip. The stems are plump and red, originating from a central point to form a rosette.
Cultural Control
Managing in Turf: Purslane generally doesn’t pose a problem in healthy, well-established turf but can appear in thin or newly established areas. Improving the competitive ability of existing turf or promoting new turf establishment are effective management strategies.
Biological Control
Natural Predators: The purslane sawfly and the portulaca leaf-mining weevil can help reduce purslane infestations, though complete control is unlikely.
Chemical Control
Effective Herbicides: For postemergent control in cool-season turf, triclopyr, fluroxypyr, and dicamba are effective. In warm-season turf, metsulfuron or a combination of sulfentrazone and metsulfuron work well. For preemergent control, isoxaben in spring or simazine in late winter are suitable for cool-season and warm-season turf, respectively.
Identification of Purslane
Distinctive Features: Purslane has fleshy, smooth leaves and stems, with leaves being green with a red margin and rounded at the tip. The stems are plump and red, originating from a central point to form a rosette.
Cultural Control
Managing in Turf: Purslane generally doesn’t pose a problem in healthy, well-established turf but can appear in thin or newly established areas. Improving the competitive ability of existing turf or promoting new turf establishment are effective management strategies.
Biological Control
Natural Predators: The purslane sawfly and the portulaca leaf-mining weevil can help reduce purslane infestations, though complete control is unlikely.
Chemical Control
Effective Herbicides: For postemergent control in cool-season turf, triclopyr, fluroxypyr, and dicamba are effective. In warm-season turf, metsulfuron or a combination of sulfentrazone and metsulfuron work well. For preemergent control, isoxaben in spring or simazine in late winter are suitable for cool-season and warm-season turf, respectively.