---
{
  "id": "common-purslane",
  "name": "Common purslane",
  "scientific": "Portulaca oleracea",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Common weed; not an A/B/C listing in the reviewed state rule",
  "status_sources": [
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "Pet ingestion hazard despite human food uses",
  "warning_tone": "danger",
  "aliases": [],
  "taxonomy_note": "Distinguish succulent purslane from low-growing spurges. The ASPCA entry is Portulaca oleracea, not merely an ornamental plant sharing a common name.",
  "source_ids": [
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "N-portulaca-oleracea",
    "C-descriptions",
    "A-purslane",
    "S27"
  ],
  "description": "Common purslane: Pet ingestion hazard despite human food uses. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-portulaca-oleracea"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-purslane-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "C-descriptions",
        "N-portulaca-oleracea"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-purslane-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "N-portulaca-oleracea"
      ],
      "scope": "Food-use record, not individual safety assessment",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-purslane-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [
        "A-purslane"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-purslane-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "A-purslane"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-purslane-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/common-purslane.md"
}
---

# Common purslane

*Portulaca oleracea*

**Common weed; not an A/B/C listing in the reviewed state rule.** [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **Pet ingestion hazard despite human food uses.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Distinguish succulent purslane from low-growing spurges. The ASPCA entry is Portulaca oleracea, not merely an ornamental plant sharing a common name.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. The cited findings are available below. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![Portulaca oleracea: Small yellow flowers nestled among thick rounded succulent leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-portulaca-oleracea-20-01-flower.jpg)

**flower** — Small yellow flowers nestled among thick rounded succulent leaves.

Photo: Isidre blanc; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PORTULACA_OLERACEA_-_EMPALOUS_-_IB-518_(Verdolaga).JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/PORTULACA_OLERACEA_-_EMPALOUS_-_IB-518_%28Verdolaga%29.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Common purslane is a taxonomically variable aggregate. General photographs do not determine an infraspecific taxon or seed-based microspecies. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Portulaca oleracea: Fleshy oval green leaves cluster along smooth reddish prostrate stems.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-portulaca-oleracea-20-05-leaf-stem.jpg)

**leaf-stem** — Fleshy oval green leaves cluster along smooth reddish prostrate stems.

Photo: Forest & Kim Starr; [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_060406-7304_Portulaca_oleracea.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Starr_060406-7304_Portulaca_oleracea.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Common purslane is a taxonomically variable aggregate. General photographs do not determine an infraspecific taxon or seed-based microspecies. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Portulaca oleracea: Low mat with radiating reddish stems over bare sandy soil.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-portulaca-oleracea-20-08-habit.jpg)

**habit** — Low mat with radiating reddish stems over bare sandy soil.

Photo: Javier martin; [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portulaca_oleracea_habitusDehesaBoyalPuertollano.jpg#Licensing); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portulaca_oleracea_habitusDehesaBoyalPuertollano.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Portulaca_oleracea_habitusDehesaBoyalPuertollano.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Common purslane is a taxonomically variable aggregate. General photographs do not determine an infraspecific taxon or seed-based microspecies. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

Low, spreading red-tinged stems, fleshy leaves and small yellow flowers. [N-portulaca-oleracea](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/portulaca-oleracea/)

## Plants & habitat

A familiar Colorado garden weed. Seeds and surviving stem pieces can sustain a patch. [C-descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/) [N-portulaca-oleracea](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/portulaca-oleracea/)

## People

The species has documented human food uses, but this guide provides neither a foraging identification nor a safe serving amount. Do not transfer food-use claims to pets. [N-portulaca-oleracea](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/portulaca-oleracea/)

*Evidence scope: Food-use record, not individual safety assessment.*

## Dogs & cats

ASPCA lists this exact species as toxic to dogs and cats because of soluble oxalates. Contact a veterinarian after suspected ingestion. [A-purslane](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/purslane)

## Other animals

ASPCA also lists horses. No safe forage amount is established here. [A-purslane](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/purslane)

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **N-portulaca-oleracea** — [portulaca oleracea — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/portulaca-oleracea/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:04:56+00:00. Locator: Description; Attributes; Problems; Poisonous to Humans.
- **C-descriptions** — [Weed descriptions](https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-descriptions/), Colorado State University Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:24:02+00:00. Locator: Species entries.
- **A-purslane** — [Purslane](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/purslane), ASPCA Poison Control. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:14:01+00:00. Locator: Scientific name, toxicity to dogs, cats and horses.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=common-purslane) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

Distinguish succulent purslane from low-growing spurges. The ASPCA entry is Portulaca oleracea, not merely an ornamental plant sharing a common name.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| common-purslane-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-portulaca-oleracea | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-purslane-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | C-descriptions, N-portulaca-oleracea | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-purslane-3 | People | Food-use record, not individual safety assessment | N-portulaca-oleracea | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-purslane-4 | Dogs & cats | Species-specific | A-purslane | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-purslane-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | A-purslane | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-purslane/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-purslane/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-purslane/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json