Purslane, it's more than a weed. Purslane was brought over by

[alfredo]

immigrants and has taken root in the US. It is a very nutritious food. The links at the bottom will explain its virtues and the mighty storehouse of nutrients it packs.

Here's Purslane. Note how it has succulent leaves.





Don't confuse it with Spurge, a poisonous plant that grows in similar locations. Break the stem and you will see a milky substance, that's latex and it will irritate your skin.
Spurge




http://www.yogurtland.com/2006/06/21/purslane-salad/

Some more purslane tips.

http://www.prairienet.org/pcsa/recipes/purslane.htm

[wildeyed]

1. You know what is sad?

I have tried to grow this in my garden and failed. It is a freakin' weed and yet I can't get it to grow. x(

[mtnester]

2. I pull it up by the handfuls, I cannot EAT enough of it

it is tasty though...peppery sort of with a sweet taste as well

Some recipes:

Mexican pork and Purslane: http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/recipes/puebla/kgcodilloaquiahuac.html

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/98promotions/april/recipes.html

http://www.prodigalgardens.info/purslane%20recipes.htm

http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Tamarind%20grilled%20quail%20w%2F%20purslane%2C%20tomato%20and%20sumac%20salad

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipes/search/onerecipe.php?number=2619

You can Google it right up!

[alfredo]

6. It seems to grow in poor soil. Chamomile is the same way.

[mtnester]

7. Ohio...crappy clay soil for the most part

this stuff takes over parts of my driveway

[alfredo]

8. Get your revenge by eating it.

[Richard Steele]

3. Interesting stuff. I don't think I'd heard of it before.

I really like things that "grow like weeds"; that's less work for me.
I'll see if I can get some this year.

[Puglover]

4. I LOVE steamed purslane

with a little butter and lemon. Can't wait for it to appear in my garden every year.

[alfredo]

5. When does it appear in your garden?

[Puglover]

9. Mid May or so...huge patches. n/t

[alfredo]

10. I seem to find it in neglected planters around town.

[1monster]

11. Wow! I didn't know purslane was edible! I used to have it all my little gardens because

purslane is so beautifully colorful when it blooms... purple, fuschia, pink, red, orange, and yellow. And it would come back year after year after year without collecting the copius seeds. I did notice that the yellow purslane was hardier in reproducing year after year than the other colors.

I think I'll go buy a pot or two of it and let it run riot in my garden again this year. Maybe I'll get brave enough to try eating it.

With food prices the way they are going, it may be a viable alternative to some expensive produce. :D