Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Common purslane
Tsiighájiłchíí
(a.k.a. Little hogweed, red root, pursley)

Low growth habit, close-up of bright green, shiny herb with round elliptical leaves and yellow flowers.
Russ Kleinman

Purslane is a common weedy herb frequently found in gardens and on sidewalks. It grows in a spreading, prostrate fashion and has small yellow flowers. The leaves are oval and succulent, on orange to red stems. The flowers are small and yellow. The entire plant is edible and has been used in cuisine around the world for centuries. Common purslane can be eaten as a leaf vegetable and can be consumed either raw or cooked.

Foliage and yellow flower. The five petals are two-lobed. Stamens are yellow.
Russ Kleinman, Kelly Kindscher & Bill Norris
Wider view of growth habit, showing spreading, red stems.
Russ Kleinman, Kelly Kindscher & Bill Norris
Small, single yellow flower with bright green foliage behind.
Mourad Louadfel, Bugwood.org
Dense foliage with small yellow flowers
Mourad Louadfel, Bugwood.org
Shiny, green foliage, small, yellow flowers, and red stems.
Mourad Louadfel, Bugwood.org
Mass of dull green foliage covering a large area with dull brown grassland behind.
Phil Westra
Scientific Name
Portulaca oleracea
Plant Type
Forb
Growing Season
Warm Season
Stem Placements
  • Opposite
  • Alternate
Flower Color
Yellow
✓
Edible leaves
⚠
Weedy
For definitions, see the glossary.

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