Integrated Pest Management
Common Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
Description
- low-growing plant with thick succulent leaves and stems; stems radiate out from a central point
- teardrop-shaped leaves are green with reddish margins; stems turn pink to red in color
- bright yellow flowers have five petals
Location
- commonly grows in landscape beds
Life Cycle
- summer annual that germinates in late spring when soil temperatures reach 60°F; seedling germination is rapid after irrigation events
- flowers appear several weeks after germination and seeds are produced within 3 weeks of flowers
- flower and seed production continues throughout the growing season until fall frost
IPM Recommendations
- Effective control must target both aboveground and underground plant structures.
- Hand-pull plants in planting beds prior to seed maturation.
- Apply a mulch layer 3 inches deep on planting beds to reduce seed germination.
- Apply an appropriate pre-emergent herbicide prior to seed germination or apply an appropriate post-emergent herbicide directly to target weeds.