Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin

Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Common purslane

(a.k.a. Little hogweed, red root, pursley)

Tsiighájiłchíí

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

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

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