Portulaca oleracea L.

Glabrous taprooted annual herb. Stems reddish, prostrate to ascending, (5)–10–30–(45) cm long. Lvs alternate to subopposite, fleshy, shiny, often red-tinged, obovate to oblong, cuneately narrowed to a short petiole, obtuse to almost retuse, (5)–10–15–(30) × (2)–3–8–(10) mm; axillary hair-tufts short. Fls < 1 cm diam., (1)–3–(7) in sessile terminal clusters soon overtopped by subapical branches, subtended by membranous, ovate-acuminate, pinkish bracts. Sepals green, hooded, overlapping, fleshy, falling at fruiting, 5 mm long. Petals yellow, soon falling. Stamens 6–15; anthers yellow. Style branches 3–6. Capsule 3–7 mm long, ovoid, circumscissile. Seeds many, ovoid, shining, dark red-black, finely tuberculate, 1 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Mar.–(Apr.); Fruiting: Nov.–Mar.–(Apr.)