Propagation and distribution
Purslane is distributed all over the world; Portulaca oleracea is a herbaceous annual, native of many parts of Europe, found in the East and West
Indies, China, Japan and Ascension Island, and though found also in the British Isles is not indigenous there2
. It is a weedy summer annual species that is
abundant throughout the world, invading vegetable gardens, bare areas, low-maintenance lawns, ornamental plantings, and agricultural areas. It is
particularly well adapted to the warm, moist conditions found in California‟s irrigated agricultural and ornamental sites. It has been cultivated in India and
the Middle East and has been popular in Europe since the Middle Ages. Common purslane germinates in California from February to March in the southern
desert areas to late spring in cooler areas when soil temperature reaches about 60°F. For an early crop, the seed is best sown under protection in early spring
and can then be planted out in late spring. Outdoor sowings in situ take place from late spring to late summer, successional sowings being made every two to
three weeks if a constant supply of the leaves is required