Purslane and Portulaca (Rose Moss)
Portulaca oleracea and grandiflora
Purslane (Portulacaceae) family

Portulacaceae are herbs, often succulent, with delicate flowers born singly or in branched inflorescences.  Flowers only open in sun, close at night.
Purslane is a sprawling plant with smooth, thick, fleshy, reddish stems.   Branches reach 12" long.  Native throughout the US, this well-known weed can become quite a pest in gardens during hot weather, but is easily pulled out.  It was at one time valued as a salad plant and potherb because its iron content is exceptionally high.
Portulaca is a prostrate, fleshy, branching plant with small pink, purple, red, or yellow flowers.  Reaches only about 2-8" high.  Was introduced from South America and is a popular garden annual which often escapes cultivation.

Culture

Light:  Full sun

Propagation:  Seeds, spring sow where they grow.  Need light to germinate, surface sow in well drained soil.   Keep 70-85 degrees, germination occurs in 14-21 days.

Soil and Fertility:  Dry, sandy soil of low fertility.  Give it the toughest place in the garden, where nothing else will grow.

Hardiness:  All over the US

Great nectar plant.  One of those "cantkillitdigitouttatheshrubgardenandplantitinthebutterflygarden" kinda plants.   I am always pulling them out of the 'wrong' places and replanting them in the butterfly garden.

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