136 



WEED FLORA OP IOWA 



Fig. 76-A. Distribution of Bouncing Bet. 



Fig. 77. Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis') . Near a building. Seeds mature 



and spread from such places. 



(Photographed by Charlotte M. King.) 



Pusley, Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.). 



Description. — A fleshy, prostrate, smooth annual with scattered 

 obovate or wedge-shaped leaves ; small sessile flowers with a 2-clef t 

 calyx; 5 small, yellow petals, inserted on the calyx; stamens 7-12, 

 style deeply 5-6-parted ; seeds small, finely rugose. 



