Wild plant that would like to identify - Ask Extension
This is my identyfication question #2 actually.This plant grew "from itself" in my garden and I would like to identify it.It is in Buenos AIres, Argen...
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Wild plant that would like to identify #225036
Asked January 20, 2015, 1:29 PM EST
This is my identyfication question #2 actually.
This plant grew "from itself" in my garden and I would like to identify it.
It is in Buenos AIres, Argentina.
Thanks
This plant grew "from itself" in my garden and I would like to identify it.
It is in Buenos AIres, Argentina.
Thanks
County Outside United States
Expert Response
Hello,
I am not certain of the identity of your plant since I am not generally familiar with plants of Argentina. However, the plant looks like it could be Portulaca oleracea. This is a cosmopolitan weed that is found in many places worldwide including Argentina. If you need an exact identification you may try to ask someone who studies weeds at a local university.
Below is a link to a site with distribution and photos of this weed. You can compare it to what you found and see if they look to be the same plant.
http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/43609
thank you for using Ask an Expert.
I am not certain of the identity of your plant since I am not generally familiar with plants of Argentina. However, the plant looks like it could be Portulaca oleracea. This is a cosmopolitan weed that is found in many places worldwide including Argentina. If you need an exact identification you may try to ask someone who studies weeds at a local university.
Below is a link to a site with distribution and photos of this weed. You can compare it to what you found and see if they look to be the same plant.
http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/43609
thank you for using Ask an Expert.
The response is very usefull and the link provided has the needed information.
Given the pictures of the link, plus others I found, I am pretty sure it is the plant you mention.
Many thanks for the help!
PS: Wikipedia states that it has many culinary uses plus significal nutritional benefits. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portulaca_oleracea#Uses - 1/21/2015).
And that it has a place in tradicional cuisine in many countries
I am going to investigate further in order to verify it "usability" and eventually no longer treat it as a weed.
I'm glad the plant seems to be the Portulaca in the description I sent. Yes, I saw that it has potential culinary uses, but I would caution you against eating it unless you are absolutely sure of what it is just to be safe.
Best of luck and thanks for using Ask an Expert!