Once in a while one comes across a plant that is so outstanding that one wonders how on earth it has been overlooked.//
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is one such plant. It is commonly called purslane or pigweed in English language, papasan in Yoruba, babajibji in Hausa, ntioke, ntilimoke, ntiike or idiridi in Igbo.//
Portulaca oleracea, is a member of the Portulacaceae family with more than 120 different species.//
The use of this plant as a vegetable, spice and medicine has been known since the times of the ancient Egyptians and was popular in England during the Middle Ages 33, why it has fallen into
obscurity is quite strange.
// It is fascinating that a plant so prevalent around the world has achieved almost identical recognition in each culture for its benefits.