This succulent ground cover with its wide spread and rose like flowers is native to North Africa, Middle East and India. It is part of the Portulacaceae family and is an annual which is grown as a vegetable or pot herb in some parts of the world and in others it is a weed which grows naturally in the fields.
The Moss Rose stems, flowers and leaves are edible, usually used fresh in salads or cooked. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids and contains vitamin A, C, E, and B, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron.
*The Purslane serves mostly as a ground-cover, but can be grown in pots or in flower beds. It can reach a height of 45 cm and has a wide spread of 80cm with red, white, yellow, pink and orange blooms throughout summer.
It is a fast-growing herbaceous succulent with multiple smooth red stems and a single taproot. The leaves are clustered, dark green, oval and fleshy. Each leave stores quite a bit of water and the plant is self-fertile.
It thrives in full sun, tropical/warm climates with annual rainfalls of about 1 000mm and well-drained soil. This plant can tolerate dry climates too but then the foliage quality will not be as good.
