Gillies' Purslane (Portulaca gilliesii)

Flor de seda
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Portulaca gilliesii (Flor de Seda): Characteristics and Weed Ecology

Originating from South America, Portulaca gilliesii has established itself as a resilient and adaptable succulent annual. It thrives in undisturbed sites such as roadsides and railway tracks, showing remarkable drought tolerance across various environments. The species has naturalized globally and is frequently encountered as a robust weed in agricultural settings.

In modern agriculture, this plant poses a significant challenge due to its adaptation to zero-tillage farming practices. It exhibits exceptional resistance to common systemic herbicides, forcing agronomists to develop specialized management strategies for crop protection.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ Angiosperms
  • ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
  • ∟ eudicots
  • ∟ core eudicots
  • ∟ Superasterids
  • ∟ order Caryophyllales
  • ∟ подотряд / подпорядок Portulacineae
  • ∟ family Portulacaceae (Purslane family)
  • ∟ genus Portulaca (Purslane genus)
  • ∟ species Portulaca gilliesii (Gillies' Purslane)

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Morphology

Portulaca gilliesii develops smooth, fleshy, and predominantly prostrate reddish stems that can reach up to 30 centimeters in length. The stems feature distinctive axillary hairs and small branching structures. Its leaves are arranged alternately, densely clustering along the stem and at the growing apex.

The plant produces solitary, sessile flowers with a striking red-purple hue, measuring approximately 6 millimeters across. These flowers possess five regular parts with round petals that are characteristically notched at the tips. Following the flowering period, it yields subglobose capsules containing tiny yellowish-brown seeds.

Flowering season

Late spring to mid-autumn

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Interesting facts

Agricultural studies reveal that standard doses of glyphosate control only about 30% of the Portulaca gilliesii population. Achieving near-total control requires exceptionally high herbicide concentrations that are rarely used in standard farming.

Paleobotanical evidence indicates its surprisingly early arrival in North America. Sediment records suggest the species lived in the Crawford Lake region of Ontario between 1430 and 1489, establishing its presence long before European colonization.

Geography of distribution

  • Argentina
  • Paraguay
  • Uruguay
  • Bolivia

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
  • Catalogue of Life

Technical Information

Taxon Synonyms: Portulaca arenicola

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

See also

Mexican Purslane

Mexican Purslane

Portulaca mexicana

Portulaca mexicana is a low-growing succulent plant native to numerous states across Mexico. First described …

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Red-Stemmed Purslane

Red-Stemmed Purslane

Portulaca rubricaulis

An annual succulent herb characterized by distinctive reddish stems and solitary yellow flowers, found across …

Read more →