Flower · GBIF taxon 3084698
Wingpod Purslane
Portulaca umbraticolaAlso known as Winged Purslane
Wingpod purslane is a low-growing succulent that thrives in sun-baked environments, spreading fleshy stems across rocky ledges and sandy clearings. Its vibrant blossoms open primarily during the morning hours and snap shut under cloudy skies or intense afternoon heat. It earns its common name from the distinctive membranous, saucer-like wing encircling the rim of its circumscissile seed capsule.
SucculentFloweringDrought-Tolerant
Licensed referenceno rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photoautotroph
Predators
- Herbivorous insects
- Grazing livestock
- Desert tortoises
ThreatsHabitat conversion, herbicide spraying, invasive plant competition
HabitatsDry grasslands, rocky outcrops, sandy savannas, roadsides, disturbed areas
Life span1–2 years (annual to short-lived perennial)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyPortulacaceae
- GenusPortulaca
- SpeciesPortulaca umbraticola
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains soluble calcium oxalates toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep away from pets.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains soluble calcium oxalates that can cause excessive drooling, digestive irritation, and kidney issues in pets.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by flattened fleshy leaves and round seed pods girdled by a thin, papery wing.
- What to do
- Keep container plantings away from dogs and cats, and wash skin after handling crushed plant juices.
Responsible observation
- Photography: Best photographed in the mid-morning when the vivid petals fully expand to the sun.
- Cultivation: Requires minimal water and sharply draining soil to prevent stem and root rot.
- Pet Safety: Keep hanging baskets and potted specimens out of reach of curious house pets.
Pollinator Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Guillermo Debandi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
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