Portulacaceae are herbs, often succulent, with delicate flowers born singly or in branched inflorescences.
Flowers only open in sun, close at night.
Purslane is a sprawling plant with smooth, thick, fleshy, reddish stems. Native throughout the US, this well-known weed can become quite a pest in gardens during hot weather, but is easily pulled out. It was at one time valued as a salad plant and potherb because its iron content is exceptionally high. Portulaca is a prostrate, fleshy, branching plant with small pink, purple, red, or yellow flowers. Was introduced from South America and is a popular garden annual which often escapes cultivation.