Common Australian Garden Weeds

Portulaca pilosa

Scientific name: Portulaca pilosa L.


Habit of hairy pigweed (Portulaca pilosa).


Hairy pigweed with obvious tufts of hairs near the bases of the leaves and flowers.


Close-up pf the fleshy leaves and flower of hairy pigweed.


Seedling of hairy pigweed.

Common name: Hairy pigweed

Family: Portulacaceae

Origin:

Native of America.

Habit:

Perennial succulent with prostrate, branching stems forming a low ground cover.

Habitat:

Common weed of tended areas.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are finely hairy, mostly prostrate, branching to form a mat. Leaves are alternate, with short petioles (1-2 mm). The leaf blades are succulent, thick and narrow 0.5-2.7 × 0.1-0.4 cm. there are long white hairs more than 5 mm long in the axils of the leaves.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are purple or crimson (occasionally yellow) petals are 3-8 mm long. Flowers are borne singly or in clusters of up to six at the tips of the branches. Fruits are more or less globular up to 7 mm long. Seeds are kidney shaped with a warty surface. Flowers in summer.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Succulent prostrate herb, mat-forming with thick, narrow leaves and conspicuous long white hairs in the leaf axils. Flowers are commonly crimson to purple (occasionally yellow).

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 1. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.