purslane

noun

purs·​lane ˈpər-slən 

-ˌslān

: any of a family (Portulacaceae, the purslane family) of cosmopolitan usually succulent herbs

especially : a fleshy-leaved trailing plant (Portulaca oleracea) with tiny yellow flowers that is a common troublesome weed but is sometimes eaten as a potherb or in salads

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

A couple of the key ingredients are holdovers from that facial serum (the ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid, and again, the antioxidant-rich purslane), while the overall formula is better suited for deployment into the body’s thicker, dryer skin. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 May 2023

Best known as a weed, purslane is nonetheless edible and very nutritious. —Janelle Davis, CNN, 26 Mar. 2023

Epazote oil, piquin chile butter, serrano-verdolaga (purslane) adobo — tell me more! —jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2022

How exactly does purslane withstand drought? —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2022

Other native plant enemies include sow thistle; dandelions, which spread clouds of seeds once their cheerful yellow flowers dry up; tall bulky horseweed; round-leaved cheeseweed; purslane; and spurge, which blanket the ground like thick green doilies. —Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022

Friends also contributed to her project, giving her birds of paradise and magenta bougainvillea, creeping rosemary and rock purslane. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2023

Previous studies have proposed that purslane utilizes both C4 and CAM photosynthesis and is highly tolerant to both hot and dry conditions. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Aug. 2022

The menu will change regularly, but opening night began with guacamole flavored with Oaxacan ants called chicatanas, roasted grasshoppers, cilantro, purslane, nasturtium flowers and a side of blue corn tostadas. —Mike Sutter, ExpressNews.com, 12 Nov. 2020

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French porsulaigne, from Late Latin porcillagin-, porcillago, alteration of Latin porcillaca, alteration of portulaca

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above