Introduction to Light-Leafed Water Purslane
Light-leafed water purslane, also known as Portulaca oleracea, is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows 20-80 centimeters tall. It is mainly distributed in Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, and other regions. Light-leafed water purslane is used to clear heat, dissolve phlegm, and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Aliases of Light-Leafed Water Purslane
Light-leafed water purslane is also known as Wangjiangqing, Tianzhima (as mentioned in "Li's Secret of Grass"), Baimalan, Nidengxin, Yedi Can, and Baigengcao (as mentioned in "Folk Medicinal Herbs in Zhejiang").
Morphology of Light-Leafed Water Purslane
Light-leafed water purslane is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows 20-80 centimeters tall. It has creeping roots at the lower part and square stems with hairs on the joints.
The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to elliptic in shape, 4-10.5 centimeters long and 0.7-3 centimeters wide. They have acute tips, rounded or heart-shaped bases, serrated edges, and are hairless on both sides. The petioles are 3-17 millimeters long.
The flowers are arranged in groups of 6 or more, axillary or terminal spikes, with a flower axis 5-12 centimeters long. The bracts are small and lanceolate. The calyx is bell-shaped, 7.2 millimeters long, hairless or slightly hairy on the outside, with 10 veins and 5 teeth, each tooth ending in a needle-like tip, and with cilia on the edges. The upper lip has 3 teeth and the lower lip has 2 teeth. The corolla is pale red or pale purple, 14.5 millimeters long, with an inverted ovate upper lip covered with short hairs, and a 3-lobed lower lip. There are 4 stamens, 2 are stronger. The stigma is divided into 2 lobes and is shorter than the stamens. The small nut is oblong, 1.8 millimeters long, and smooth black. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from May to July.
