There is a succulent-looking weed growing in a crack in my driveway. What is it?
- Conditions: Dry, full sun, asphalt & gravel, no competition.
- Date: 2018-07-16
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Size: 40cm x 40cm x 2cm
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3$\begingroup$ I am not familair with the flora of the New World, but this looks like Common purslane, Portulaca oleracea $\endgroup$– RHAJul 16, 2018 at 18:36
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1$\begingroup$ @RHA is correct, it is Portulaca oleracea (RHA you should put this as an answer). This is purslane in one of its favorite and classic environments, a driveway crack! If this specimen has not been sprayed, you might taste a few leaves -- people put it in salads. And if don't want it around, pull it now, it is about to bloom and the seeds will be abundant. $\endgroup$– Bryan HansonJul 16, 2018 at 23:47
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1 Answer
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This is Common purslane, Portulaca oleracea. It is used in salads, although it contains oxalic acid and there are poisenous plants resembling Purslane, see comment below. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea
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2$\begingroup$ An acquaintance advised me of this: 1) Make sure you can distinguish it from hairy-stemmed spurge (which is poisonous) 2) Purslane contains oxalic acid, so those at risk of kidney stones should not eat too much! More info here: jstookey.com/node/214 $\endgroup$– User1974Jul 17, 2018 at 16:07