PORTULACA OLERACEA คุณนายตื่นสาย

PORTULACA
OLERACEA

คุณนายตื่นสาย

(Common Purslane) also known as Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed or Pusley

is an annual succulent in the family Portulacaceae, which can reach 40 cm in height. About 40 varieties are currently cultivated. It has an extensive old-world distribution extending from North Africa through the Middle East (called الرجلة or البقلة) and the Indian Subcontinent to Malaysia and Australasia. The species status in the New World is uncertain: it is generally considered an exotic weed; however, there is evidence that the species was in Crawford Lake deposits (Ontario) in 1430-89 AD, suggesting that it reached North America in the pre-Columbian era.

It is naturalised elsewhere and in some regions is considered an invasive weed. It has smooth, reddish, mostly prostrate stems and alternate leaves clustered at stem joints and ends. The yellow flowers have five regular parts and are up to 6 mm wide. The flowers appear depending upon rainfall and may occur year round. The flowers open singly at the center of the leaf cluster for only a few hours on sunny mornings. Seeds are formed in a tiny pod, which opens when the seeds are ready. Purslane has a taproot with fibrous secondary roots and is able to tolerate poor, compacted soils and drought.

In THAILAND,
we call this flower "khun-naay-tduern-saay" which mean "a wake-up late lady" as they are blossoming once the light touches the sky; more brighter, more opening wider flower.  There are variety of colors such as Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink and White.

Khun-Naay-Tduern-Saay  provides ground cover to create a humid microclimate for nearby plants, stabilizing ground moisture. Its deep roots bring up moisture and nutrients that those plants can use, and some, including corn, will "follow" purslane roots down through harder soil than they can penetrate on their own. It is known as a beneficial weed in places that don't already grow it as a crop in its own right. It is also considered EATABLE and MEDICINAL USAGES.

Khun-Naai-Tduern-Saay is not only for beautifying the ground but it can be perfectly planted into pot or basket for hanging around the residents as well :-)

More information can be found at http://www.wikipedia.org

TODAY'S QUOTED:

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how Lilies of the field grow, They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field....will He not much more clothe you...?" - Matthew 6:28-29