purslane

[purs-leyn, -lin]

noun

1. a low, trailing plant, Portulaca oleracea, having yellow flowers, used as a salad plant and potherb.

2. any other plant of the purslane family.

purslane

/ ˈpɜːslɪn, -leɪn /

noun

1. a weedy portulacaceous plant, Portulaca oleracea, with small yellow flowers and fleshy leaves, which are used in salads and as a potherb

2. any of various similar or related plants, such as sea purslane and water purslane

Word History and Origins

Origin of purslane¹

1350–1400; Middle English purcelan ( e ) < Middle French porcelaine < Late Latin porcillāgin- (stem of porcillāgō ), for Latin porcillāca, variant of portulāca portulaca

Word History and Origins

Origin of purslane¹

C14 purcelane, from Old French porcelaine, from Late Latin porcillāgō, from Latin porcillāca, variant of portulāca

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Ziglar harvested a bunch of purslane from the couple’s large plot.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Ziglar harvested a bunch of purslane from the couple’s large plot across the garden.

From Los Angeles Times

White clover and edible purslane both attract beneficial insects, for instance.

From Seattle Times

Across the garden plots: chrysanthemum leaves, purple sugar peas, goji berries and common purslane, a leafy vegetable that is eaten stir-fried or put into salads.

From Seattle Times

Even in summer, Reem cycles in grilled or raw corn, pomegranate seeds, pickled cherries, or fresh purslane.

From Salon