Purslane family
Description
A family of herbs with a cosmopolitan distribution, but centred in America (Portulacaceae 1).
The leaves are alternate or opposite, more or less fleshy, entire and with stipules. The flowers are usually small, regular, with 2 sepals and 4-6 petals, often joined at the base, mostly 5 stamens and a superior ovary. The fruit is a capsule.
There are about 20 genera.
Use
The succulent leaves of the genus Portulaca are eaten as a vegetable.
Described species
Portulaca oleracea, purslane