NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 
PuRSLANE—Portulaca oleracea (L.). 
This is one of the troublesome weeds of our gardens, and 
one would hardly associate it with the brilliant showy 
flower of our borders. We must, however, recognize it as a 
near relation. The original of the cultivated Portulaca of 
our gardens is P. grandiflora, from South America, whence 
it was introduced some years ago. Even in its wild state, 
or on its native prairies, it is a strikingly attractive flower, 
claiming the admiration of the beholder; but our humbler 
Species is regarded as a thing of naught. The simple Pur- 
slane, however, has its virtues, and we will try to rescue 
it from being utterly despised by showing how it may be 
utilized. When the plant first appears it pushes forth small 
wedge-shaped succulent leaves, of a dull red color, and soon 
spreads over the ground, branching at every thickened joint. 
If the soil be rich it becomes very luxuriant, and being very 
tenacious of life, it is difficult to get rid of it, as it springs 
again from the joints, flourishing the more vigorously from 
the persecution it has undergone. The axil of every joint 
is furnished with a small sharply-pointed red bud. The 
flowers are small, pale yellow, opening in sunshine; the pod 
many seeded, with a little round lid that covers the top of 
the capsule. 
The soft, oily mildness of the leaves and stalks of this 
plant renders it useful as an application, crushed or steeped 
in hot water or milk, for inflammatory tumors. I have seen 
it also recommended as a pot-herb for the table—in fact, it 
is largely grown in France for that purpose; I have also 
heard it said that it may be used as a dye, but that the blue 
color produced is very evanescent.* 
* I cooked it for greens and found it very nice.—A.D.C. 
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