Pink Purslane is a
non-native
annual plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, water margins and damp shaded areas, to a mature height of up to 30cm.
Pink Purslane, a plant native to Siberia and North America, was introduced to the UK in the eighteenth century. It has lustrous pale-pink flowers with radiating deep-pink markings and notched petals. Its leaves are rounded and fleshy. The name 'Purslane' was given to the plant because it was originally in the Portulacacaeae family, members of which are commonly known as Purslanes. The name Purslane is from the Old French for 'porcelain' and this name was coined because it sounded like 'porcil-aka' the original name given to the type species.
Botanic classification and naming: Pink Purslane is a member of the Montia (Montiaceae) family. The genus name
'Claytonia' identifies the plant as a Spring Beauty and its species name 'sibirica' means 'Siberian plant'.
Concerns: Pink Purslane rapidly spreads in woodland, overgrowing other species.
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