Purselane Is usually a latecomer to the salad garden. Seems it needs really warm weather in late June or early July to germinate well.
Here are some pictures so you can see it. I want to encourage you to recognize it and say "Hey I've seen that before, it grows in my yard too!"
Having done some "weed identification" in many folks yards, I'm confident in saying that YOU likely have several edible plants (aka weeds) in your yard that you'd do well nutritionally to go eat instead of pull or worse yet chemically kill.
Remember our Creator loves us and has bountifully provided for us.
Trouble is we too often have a hard time recognizing His provisions due to our preconceived ideas, our expectations, and the traditions of men that we've been taught.
My job (as I understand it today) is to help whoever crosses my path to be able to more readily recognize those bountiful provisions. Maybe it is weeds, maybe herbal remedies, maybe skin care, maybe biblical principles that are thought proviking, whatever it is I just pray to be found useful for His purposes in helping my fellow brothers, neighbors, etc to know Him more.
Back to purselane.
Did you know that purselane (and many other wild edibles - aka weeds) are really really more nutritious than the traditional salad greens like iceburg lettuce and carrots?
I'd also like to encourage you to check out the other wild edibles links I've posted. I'll post more as I get time to.
Here is a couple of interesting tidbits I looked up to post here about purselane.
Quote #1
Purslane, sold in produce markets at every location on the rotation except the United States, is a nutritional powerhouse. It has omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants as well as a Fourth of July parade of vitamins and minerals. I think there's even an anti-cancer color guard in there as well. It’s a fine addition to the dinner table in many forms, and it is truly difficult to understate this plant's amazing qualities. Let me sing in praise of purslane:
purslane contains more omega 3 fatty acids than any other plant source in the solar system, and an extraordinary amount for a plant, some 8.5 mg for every gram of weight. It has vitamin A, B, C and E — six times more E than spinach — beta carotene — seven times more of that than carrots — magnesium, calcium, potassium, folate, lithium — keep you sane — iron and is 2.5% protein. Two pigments, one in the leaves and one in the yellow blossoms, have been proven anti-mutagenic in lab studies, meaning they help keep human cells from mutating, which is how cancer gets started. And you get all that for about 15 calories per 100 gram (three ounce) serving. As a mild diuretic, it might even lower your blood pressure as well.
Quoted from: Go check out this site! You'll enjoy it!
http://www.eattheweeds.com/www.EatTheWeeds.Com/EatTheWeeds.com/Entries/1939/11/15_Purslane%3A_Omega_3_Fatty_Weed.html
Quote #2
Large Erect Leaf PurslanePortulaca oleracea16 in. Hardy Annual
Originally selected from a "matweed" in Europe, these erect, tangy and succulent stems are high in vitamin C. The leaves contain the highest concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids found in land plants. This is 5 times more than spinach and 10 times more than any lettuce or mustards. It is delicious steamed and is popular in stir-fries and Greek salads.
Golden PurslanePortulaca oleracea,12-16" Hardy Annual
Succulent golden yellow leaves add zest and diversity to salads and stir-fries. Rich in vitamin C and the highest known plant source of omega-3 fatty acid. Upright stature makes for easy harvest.
This is a clip from one of my favorite seed selling sites!
Seeds of change.com
YES - the sell purselane seeds to grow in your garden. That OFFICIALLY makes it NOT a weed RIGHT?? It's just a FREE garden veggie growing in your lawn.
Now - go get some salad from the lawn..............