portulaca

[ pawr-chuh-lak-uh, pohr- ]

noun

1. any of various fleshy-leaved plants of the genus Portulaca, especially P. grandiflora, widely cultivated for its showy, variously colored flowers.

portulaca

/ -ˈleɪkə; ˌpɔːtjʊˈlækə /

noun

1. any portulacaceous plant of the genus Portulaca, such as rose moss and purslane, of tropical and subtropical America, having yellow, pink, or purple showy flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of portulaca¹

1540–50; < New Latin, genus name, Latin: purslane

Word History and Origins

Origin of portulaca¹

C16: from Latin: purslane

Example Sentences

Portulaca smiles at you, you know, when you get up soon enough in the morning to see it in its glory.

From Project Gutenberg

Old-fashioned portulaca makes a pretty low-growing green for a fern dish.

From Project Gutenberg

A pea-plant, with ternate leaves, and fine yellow blossoms, was found near our camp: Portulaca was very abundant.

From Project Gutenberg

Portulaca, with terete leaves, grows sparingly on the mild rich soil.

From Project Gutenberg

Pigweed: Portulaca, or the native purslane, a creeping annual of a reddish-green colour and an excellent vegetable.

From Project Gutenberg