Common purslane is a succulent weed with thick, fleshy leaves that thrives in heat and newly disturbed soil.
- Scientific name
- Portulaca oleracea
- Type
- Summer annual broadleaf
- Most visible
- June–September
How to Identify Common Purslane
- Thick, paddle-shaped leaves
- Reddish, fleshy stems
- Small yellow flowers
- Low, sprawling growth
When It Shows Up in Oklahoma Lawns
Appears in hot weather, especially in beds, new lawns, and bare soil.
How to Control Common Purslane
- Hand-pull and remove the whole plant (stems can re-root)
- Mulch beds
- Apply a pre-emergent before seeds germinate (late winter for summer annuals, early fall for winter annuals)
- Spot-treat with a selective herbicide labeled for the weed and safe for your grass type, following the label exactly