AusTraits

Portulaca oleracea

Explore the data for this taxon in the portal

Family Portulacaceae

Taxonomy: Portulaca oleracea L.

Synonyms: 3 (APC 2026-07-30)
  • Portulaca oleracea var. gracilescens Domin (taxonomic synonym)
  • Portulaca oleracea var. sativa (Haw.) DC. (taxonomic synonym)
  • Portulaca sativa Haw. (taxonomic synonym)

Distribution (APC): WA (native and naturalised), CoI (naturalised), ChI (naturalised), AR (naturalised), NT (native and naturalised), SA, Qld (naturalised), CSI (naturalised), NSW, LHI (naturalised), NI (naturalised), ACT, Vic (uncertain origin), Tas

Profiles: APC, Flora of Australia, ALA, iNaturalist, NSW Flora, NT eFlora, SA eFlora, Vic Flora, Florabase, ATRP

Traits

Top source datasets: Britton_1994 (2), Crowley_2007 (2), Curtis_2012 (14), Draper_2023 (3), Fonseca_2000 (20), Jurado_1991 (5), Kew_2019_1 (20), Kew_2019_2 (3), Kew_2019_3 (2), Kew_2019_4 (3), Kew_2019_5 (1), Kew_2019_6 (19), Kubiak_2009 (1), Leishman_1992 (7), Mesaglio_2022 (1), Moles_2003 (4), Munroe_2019 (1), NHNSW_2014_2 (4), NHNSW_2022 (4), NHNSW_2023 (9), NSWFRD_2014 (3), NTH_2022 (2), NTH_2023 (15), RBGV_2022 (4), RBGV_2023 (9), SAH_2014 (4), SAH_2022 (4), SAH_2023 (21), Schmidt_1993 (1), Sjostrom_2006 (4), WAH_1998 (1), WAH_2022_1 (3), WAH_2022_2 (4), WAH_2023_2 (1), Wenk_2022 (2), Wenk_2023 (1), White_2020 (20), Williams_2011 (10), Wright_2000 (10), eFLOWER_Dun_2022 (34). See below for a full list of sources.
Summary: AusTraits contains 100 traits from 278 records in 40 datasets.

Traits by category (click to expand). For categorical traits, the values are listed. For numerical traits, the mean and range are shown.

fire response
  • resprouting_capacity (categorical): fire_killed (2); resprouts (1) [sources: Crowley_2007; NSWFRD_2014; White_2020]
flower morphology
  • flower_colour (categorical): yellow_orange (2) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2; eFLOWER_Dun_2022]
  • flower_diameter (numerical): 0.45 cm (0.4-0.5 cm) [sources: eFLOWER_Dun_2022]
  • sex_type (categorical): hermaphrodite (1) [sources: Sjostrom_2006]
fruit morphology
  • fruit_length (numerical): 4.25 mm (3-6 mm) [sources: NHNSW_2023; SAH_2023]
  • fruit_type (categorical): capsule (6) [sources: NHNSW_2023; NTH_2023; RBGV_2023; SAH_2023; Sjostrom_2006; Wright_2000]
  • fruit_fleshiness (categorical): dry (2) [sources: Sjostrom_2006; Wright_2000]
  • fruit_dehiscence (categorical): dehiscent (5) [sources: NHNSW_2023; NTH_2023; SAH_2023; Sjostrom_2006; Wright_2000]
leaf morphology
  • leaf_area (numerical): 56.86 mm2 (13.7-103.58 mm2) [sources: Curtis_2012; Fonseca_2000; Jurado_1991; Leishman_1992]
  • leaf_length (numerical): 19.99 mm (5-30 mm) [sources: Curtis_2012; NHNSW_2023; RBGV_2023; SAH_2014]
  • leaf_width (numerical): 6.08 mm (2.6-15 mm) [sources: Curtis_2012; Fonseca_2000; RBGV_2023; SAH_2014]
  • leaf_dry_mass (numerical): 3.75 mg (3-4.73 mg) [sources: Curtis_2012; Fonseca_2000]
  • leaf_mass_per_area (numerical): 68.02 g/m2 (26.18-113.64 g/m2) [sources: Curtis_2012; Fonseca_2000]
  • leaf_dry_matter_content (numerical): 0.07 g/g (0.07-0.07 g/g) [sources: Curtis_2012]
  • leaf_shape (categorical): elliptical (1); lanceolate (1); linear (1); narrowly_elliptical (1); oblanceolate (5); oblong (2); obovate (4); obtriangular (2); triangular (2) [sources: NHNSW_2023; NTH_2023; RBGV_2023; SAH_2023]
  • leaf_margin (categorical): entire (2) [sources: NHNSW_2023; SAH_2023]
  • leaf_compoundness (categorical): simple (2) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2; RBGV_2023]
  • leaf_lamina_posture (categorical): flat (1) [sources: SAH_2023]
  • leaf_phyllotaxis (categorical): alternate (2); opposite (2) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2; NTH_2023; SAH_2023]
  • leaf_arrangement (categorical): spiral (1) [sources: SAH_2023]
  • plant_photosynthetic_organ (categorical): leaf (4) [sources: NHNSW_2023; NTH_2023; RBGV_2023; SAH_2023]
life history
  • photosynthetic_pathway (categorical): c4 (2); cam (1) [sources: Kew_2019_3; Munroe_2019; White_2020]
  • plant_growth_form (categorical): herb (15) [sources: Curtis_2012; Fonseca_2000; Jurado_1991; Leishman_1992; Moles_2003; NHNSW_2022; NSWFRD_2014; NTH_2022; RBGV_2022; SAH_2022; WAH_2022_1; WAH_2022_2; Wenk_2022; White_2020; Williams_2011]
  • life_form (categorical): therophyte (1) [sources: Williams_2011]
  • life_history (categorical): annual (9); perennial (1) [sources: Curtis_2012; Leishman_1992; Moles_2003; NHNSW_2022; RBGV_2022; SAH_2022; WAH_2022_1; WAH_2022_2; Wenk_2023]
  • woodiness_detailed (categorical): herbaceous (7) [sources: NHNSW_2022; NTH_2022; RBGV_2022; SAH_2022; WAH_2022_1; WAH_2022_2; Wenk_2022]
  • stem_growth_habit (categorical): decumbent (3); prostrate (5) [sources: NHNSW_2022; RBGV_2022; SAH_2022; WAH_2022_2; White_2020]
  • nitrogen_fixing (categorical): non_nitrogen_fixer (2) [sources: White_2020; Williams_2011]
  • root_structure (categorical): arbuscular_mycorrhizal (1); non_mycorrhizal (1) [sources: Schmidt_1993; Williams_2011]
  • parasitic (categorical): not_parasitic (1) [sources: White_2020]
  • pollination_syndrome (categorical): insect (2) [sources: Draper_2023; White_2020]
  • pollination_system (categorical): biotic_unspecialised (1) [sources: Williams_2011]
  • dispersal_syndrome (categorical): barochory (3); epizoochory (1); zoochory (1) [sources: Draper_2023; Jurado_1991; Kew_2019_5; White_2020; Williams_2011]
  • dispersers (categorical): abiotic (1); animals (1); birds (1) [sources: Draper_2023; White_2020]
  • flowering_time (categorical): nnnyynnnnnnn (1); nynnnnnnnnnn (1); yyynnnnnnnny (1); yyynnnnyyyyy (2) [sources: Mesaglio_2022; NHNSW_2014_2; NSWFRD_2014; WAH_1998; White_2020]
  • seedbank_longevity_class (categorical): persistent (1) [sources: White_2020]
  • seed_viability (numerical): 0.88 {count}/{count} (0.88-0.88 {count}/{count}) [sources: Moles_2003]
  • vegetative_reproduction_ability (categorical): not_vegetative (1) [sources: White_2020]
  • clonal_spread_mechanism (categorical): root_buds (1) [sources: Williams_2011]
  • storage_organ (categorical): no_storage_organ (1); root_tuber (1) [sources: Leishman_1992; SAH_2023]
  • bud_bank_location (categorical): none (1) [sources: Crowley_2007]
seed morphology
  • seed_dry_mass (numerical): 0.14 mg (0.04-0.45 mg) [sources: Kew_2019_1; Leishman_1992; Williams_2011]
  • seed_length (numerical): 0.78 mm (0.5-1 mm) [sources: NTH_2023; SAH_2023]
  • seed_width (numerical): 0.8 mm (0.6-1 mm) [sources: SAH_2023]
  • seed_shape (categorical): orbicular (1); ovoid (1); ovoid_flattened (1) [sources: NTH_2023; SAH_2023]
whole plant morphology

Sources

dataset_idn_traitsn_recordsreference
eFLOWER_Dun_20222234L. Dun and H. Sauquet. “Unpublished: Floral traits for GAP taxa, University of New South Wales, Australia”. 2022.
SAH_20231721S. H. of South Australia. eFlora of SA, Electronic Flora of South Australia. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2022. url: http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/.
Fonseca_2000520C. R. Fonseca, J. M. Overton, B. Collins, and M. Westoby. “Shifts in trait-combinations along rainfall and phosphorus gradients”. Journal of Ecology 88 (2000), pp. 964-977. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2745.2000.00506.x.
Kew_2019_1120Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
White_20202020M. White, S. Sinclair, and D. Frood. Victorian Vital Attributes Database. database. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria, 2020.
Kew_2019_6119Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Germination data from the Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
NTH_20231015D. of Land Resource Management and N. T. of Australia. Northern Territory Flora Online. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2022. url: http://eflora.nt.gov.au/.
Curtis_20121414E. M. Curtis, A. Leigh, and S. Rayburg. “Relationships among leaf traits of Australian arid zone plants: alternative modes of thermal protection”. Australian Journal of Botany 60.6 (2012), pp. 471-483. doi: 10.1071/bt11284.
Williams_20111010R. P. Duncan, S. E. Clemants, R. T. Corlett, A. K. Hahs, M. A. McCarthy, M. J. McDonnell, M. W. Schwartz, K. Thompson, P. A. Vesk, and N. S. G. Williams. “Plant traits and extinction in urban areas: a meta-analysis of 11 cities”. Global Ecology and Biogeography 20.4 (2011), pp. 509-519. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2010.00633.x.
Wright_20001010I. J. Wright, H. T. Clifford, R. Kidson, M. L. Reed, B. L. Rice, and M. Westoby. “A survey of seed and seedling characters in 1744 Australian dicotyledon species: Cross-species trait correlations and correlated trait-shifts within evolutionary lineages”. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 69 (2000), pp. 521-547. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2000.tb01222.x.
NHNSW_202389N. H. of New South Wales. The Plant Information Network System of The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Version 2.0.. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2023. url: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/.
RBGV_202379VicFlora. Flora of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2023. url: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/.
Leishman_199277M. R. Leishman and M. Westoby. “Classifying plants into groups on the basis of associations of individual traits-Evidence from Australian semi-arid woodlands”. Journal of Ecology 80 (1992), pp. 417-424. doi: 10.2307/2260687.
Jurado_199155E. Jurado. “Diaspore weight, dispersal, growth form and perenniality of central Australian plants”. Journal of Ecology 79 (1991), pp. 811-828.
Moles_200344A. T. Moles, D. I. Warton, and M. Westoby. “Seed size and survival in the soil in arid Australia”. Austral Ecology 28.5 (2003), pp. 575-585. doi: 10.1046/j.1442-9993.2003.01314.x.
NHNSW_2014_244Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. PLantNET: NSW flora online. 2014. url: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/.
NHNSW_202244N. H. of New South Wales. The Plant Information Network System of The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Version 2.0.. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2022. url: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/.
RBGV_202244VicFlora. Flora of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2022. url: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/.
SAH_201424J. P. Jessop and H. R. Toelken. Flora of South Australia, 4th edition, 4 vols. Electronic version curated by J. Kellermann, State Herbarium of South Australia.. Government Printer, Adelaide, 1986.
SAH_202244S. H. of South Australia. eFlora of SA, Electronic Flora of South Australia. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2022. url: http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/.
Sjostrom_200644A. Sjöström and C. L. Gross. “Life-history characters and phylogeny are correlated with extinction risk in the Australian angiosperms”. Journal of Biogeography 33.2 (2006), pp. 271-290. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01393.x.
WAH_2022_244Western Australian Herbarium. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora.. accessed on 14 September, 2022.. 2022. url: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/.
Draper_202333J. T. Draper, S. Delean, J. G. Conran, P. Weinstein, and B. S. Simpson. “Life-history characteristics and climate correlates of dioecious plant species in central southern Australia”. Australian Journal of Botany unknown.unknown (2023), p. unknown. doi: 10.1071/BT22110.
Kew_2019_213Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
Kew_2019_413Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Oil content data from Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
NSWFRD_201433B. Kenny, C. Orscheg, E. Tasker, M. A. Gill, and R. Bradstock. NSW Flora Fire Response Database, v2.1. database. NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment, 2014.
WAH_2022_133Western Australian Herbarium. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora.. accessed on 14 September, 2022.. 2022. url: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/.
Britton_199412D. L. Britton and M. A. Brock. “Seasonal germination from wetland seed banks”. Marine and Freshwater Research 45.8 (1994), pp. 1445-1457. doi: 10.1071/mf9941445.
Crowley_200722G. Crowley, M. Gardener, and M. Marrinan. Tropical savannas fire response database. 2007. url: [www.landmanager.org.au](www.landmanager.org.au).
Kew_2019_322Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Salt and water tolerance data from the Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
NTH_202222D. of Land Resource Management and N. T. of Australia. Northern Territory Flora Online. accessed on 6 May, 2022.. 2022. url: http://eflora.nt.gov.au/.
Wenk_202222E. Wenk. “Unpublished data: Australian plant growth forms dataset”. 2022.
Kew_2019_511Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Seed dispersal data from the Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
Kubiak_200911P. J. Kubiak. “Fire responses of bushland plants after the January 1994 wildfires in northern Sydney”. Cunninghamia 11.1 (2009), pp. 131-165.
Mesaglio_202211T. Mesaglio. “Unpublished data: Comprehensive biodiversity survey of Wategora Reserve and Everley Park along Duck River, western Sydney”. 2022. doi: 10.32942/X29886.
Munroe_201911S. E. M. Munroe, F. A. McInerney, J. Andrae, N. Welti, G. R. Guerin, E. Leitch, T. Hall, S. Szarvas, R. Atkins, S. Caddy-Retalic, and B. Sparrow. “The Photosynthetic Pathways of Plant Species Surveyed in Australia's National Terrestrial Monitoring Network”. Scientific Data 8 (2021), p. 97. doi: 10.1038/s41597-021-00877-z.
Schmidt_199311S. Schmidt. “Unpublished data: Compilation of mycorrhizal status data, University of Queensland”. 1993.
WAH_199811Western Australian Herbarium. FloraBase: The Western Australian flora. 1998. url: http://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au.
WAH_2023_211Western Australian Herbarium. Florabase—the Western Australian Flora.. accessed on 14 September, 2022.. 2023. url: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/.
Wenk_202311E. Wenk. “Unpublished data: Australian plant life history dataset, University of New South Wales, Sydney”. 2023.