How do I love you?
Let me count the ways...
Okay, I'll stop right there before I begin plagiarizing Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Sonnets From the Portuguese 43.
 |
| Purslane with tiny beautiful flowers that open for a very short time every day. |
I'm sure the Europeans and Mexicans and Aussies and etc reading this post will say, "yes, Purslane is yummy and so nutritious!"
Americans are probably saying "you mean that weed I can't seem to get rid of that takes over my garden every summer? It's EDIBLE?"
Yes!!
Not only that but it is one of the most nutritious vegetables you can eat! And every part of it is edible... even the tiny thousands of black seeds are edible.
Go ahead.... I know you want to... you cannot contain your curiosity. Go ahead and Google "Purslane edible" or "buy Purslane" or "how to use Purslane". You'll be amazed!
Do I have your attention yet? Good! And since now is the perfect time to consider Portulaca oleracea - otherwise known as Purslane, at its prime in the heat of summer (unless you live in the Southern hemisphere), get out there and get to looking around for some Purslane to salvage, pamper, and propagate!
You should be able to find it just about anywhere - definitely everywhere in Oklahoma. Look for a low-growing, radiating from central point, succulent plant with a red tint to the stems and clear liquid when the stems are broken open. It could be/should be/most likely will be found growing in cracks in sidewalks, in dusty isolated lots, wedged in between plants in gardens, forcing its way in to just about every unused inch of space.
Before you start stuffing this on-purpose "weed" into your mouth, be ABSOLUTELY sure it is NOT the dangerous imposter, highly poisonous, known as Spurge.
Spurge is NOT a succulent. Spurge has white milky liquid when the leaves are broken. But Spurge can make itself look like Purslane at first glance, with the same small oval green leaves and radiating growth pattern. Spurge is poisonous!! Do not eat!!
 |
| Purslane - clear liquid when broken - GOOD! |
 |
| Spurge- milky liquid when broken - BAD! |
 |
| Here is an example of Purslane taking every available inch... in the foreground growing in the crack between sidewalk and border, on the left growing in the bed with the sedum. The sedum (another succulent - not sure about how edible it is) can be seen mostly on the right and center in the photo. Can you tell the difference? |
Here is a look at a Spurge plant growing in the dry Oklahoma dirt.
Notice the radiating pattern and the red tint to the stems.
Can you tell the difference between this plant and the Purslane above?
Look below for one more practice photo.
This photo has Spurge and Purslane growing intermingled.
Can you tell which is which?
Can you spot the Spurge?
"Spurge = scourge...
Do NOT eat!"
One more sample of Purslane. This one is growing from the crack in the sidewalk just outside my apartment.
Remember, both Purslane and Spurge can have a red tint to the stem.
If unsure, break off a piece.
Milky liquid? DO NOT EAT!
Clear liquid? Enjoy!
And if you shake a stem over your hand, Purslane should release lots of tiny black seeds.
Oh, I almost forgot!
Here's one more fun look at Purslane.
It is one plant growing from the side drain hole in a container.
I've been harvesting from it regularly, but it just grows and grows!
Do you recognize the baby plant in the top of the container?
It's Medjie!
(from a previous post - "Shh...The Elephants Are Sleeping!")
See how much he has grown?!
And still so cute!
So...are you convinced yet?
What's not to love about Purslane!?
Now that I've been writing about it, I'm having a craving for some Purslane with scrambled eggs and cheese and tomatoes.
If you'll excuse me - I need to step outside and do a little harvesting....
Happy eating those wonderful edible weeds!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Helpful and respectful comments are welcome!
All comments are moderated and may or may not be visible on the blog.