Portulaca samoensis
v. Poelln.
(c) Hyongchan Kim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Hyongchan Kim
(c) Shelomi Doyle, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shelomi Doyle
(c) jesselowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Dangerous Lookalikes
This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.
Spotted Spurge: Milky white latex sap when broken, thinner leaves often with dark spot, prostrate growth, tiny flowers.
Portulaca samoensis: Clear sap, thick succulent leaves, reddish smooth stems, yellow flowers.
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. In Fiji it occurs from sea level to 200 m altitude. It grows on rocky shores and amongst rocks on hillsides.
American Samoa, Caroline Islands, Fiji, Pacific, Rotuma, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga,
How to Identify
A creeping herb. It can be 20 cm high. It has a tuberous root. The leaves are fleshy and narrow and pointed. They have long hairs at the base. The flowers are bright yellow.
Notes
There are about 200 Portulaca species. They are mostly in the tropics and subtropics.
Names & Synonyms
Kutu, Ndomindomi, Periro, Tamole, Ubijon
References (1)
- Smith, A.C., 1981, Flora Vitiensis Nova, Lawaii, Kuai, Hawaii, Volume 2 p 278
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