Pink purslane, Kiss-me-quick
Portulaca pilosa
Portulacaceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower and rock gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries.
Description:
Small herbaceous wildflower.
Height:
About 1-4 inches in height. Spreading across the ground and forming small patches.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Southern United States south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. Rare in the Monroe County Keys and perhaps absent from the lower Keys.
Habitats:
Pinelands and open disturbed sites.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Pink.
Flower Characteristics:
Semi-showy.
Flowering Season:
Spring-fall.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous capsule with tiny black seeds.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Provides food for wildlife. Attracts bee pollinators.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed and cuttings.
Comments:
Can be ephemeral or even weedy in the garden.


James Johnson, 2014
In habitat, Miramar Pineland Natural Area,
Broward County, Florida
Roger L. Hammer
Shirley Denton