Portulaca grandiflora

Moss Rose redirects here, however the term also refers to a sub-group of Rosa centifolia roses. For the stadium of Macclesfield Town F.C. see Moss Rose.

Portulaca grandiflora
Portulaca grandiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Portulacaceae
Genus:	Portulaca
Species:	P. grandiflora
Binomial name
Portulaca grandiflora Hook.

Portulaca grandiflora (Moss-rose Purslane or Moss-rose), is a flowering plant in the family Portulacaceae, native to Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay.^[1][2]

It is also seen in the South Asia and widely spread in most of the cities with old 18th-19th century architecture in the Balkans. In Bangladesh, it is called "Time Fuul", meaning "Time Flower", because the flower has a specific time to bloom. In Vietnam, it is called "Hoa mười giờ" meaning "Ten o'clock flower", because the flower is usually in full bloom at 10 o'clock in the morning.

It is a small, but fast-growing annual plant growing to 30 cm tall, though usually less. However if it is cultivated properly it can easily reach this height. The leaves are thick and fleshy, up to 2.5 cm long, arranged alternately or in small clusters. The flowers are 2.5–3 cm diameter with five petals, variably red, orange, pink, white, and yellow.^[1]

Cultivation and uses

Numerous cultivars have been selected for double flowers with additional petals, and for variation in flower color, ^[1] and it is widely grown in temperate climates as an ornamental plant for annual bedding or as a container plant. It requires ample sunlight and well-drained soils. It requires almost no attention and spreads itself very easy. In places with old architecture it can grow between the stones of the road or sidewalk. Seeds are often sold as mixtures, such as Double Flowering Mixture (see illustrations).

Traditional Brazilian sort of Portulaca grandiflora

Portulaca grandiflora double flower variety

Mixed Portulaca grandiflora growth

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
2. ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Portulaca grandiflora