Purslane (Krokot or Portulaca oleracea) is estimated to have originated in the tropical mainland of America (Brazil). It is distributed across tropical regions and four-season climates. It is commonly grown as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Besides being an ornamental and traditional medicinal plant with many health benefits, purslane is also eaten as a leaf vegetable in many regions of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Mexico.

It is a weed that grows in the lowlands up to 1,800 m a.s.l.. It grows wild in fields, preferring sandy and clay soil types. It has excellent adaptive properties to the environment, allowing it to survive in conditions of low water content in the soil.

• The root is a taproot, colored dirty white.

• The stem is purplish-red, round, smooth, fleshy, segmented (noded), and grows partially or entirely upright.

• The leaves are simple, fleshy, thick, with blunt bases and tips, flat margins, green in color, 1−3 cm long, and 1−2 cm wide.

• The flowers are compound (inflorescence), located at the branch tips, small, with green sepals, heart-shaped yellow petals, and a stigma that is three to five-lobed and white or yellow.

• The fruit is a capsule (box-shaped), many-seeded, and green.

• The seeds are round, small, shiny, and black.

• Propagation is done through seeds that dry and fall onto the soil surface, or by stem cuttings.

• The planting method involves direct planting, followed by covering the seeds or cuttings with compost.

• Harvest time is 20−30 days after planting, with the shoots being harvested every 2−3 weeks.

• It is used to treat acute appendicitis, acute dysentery and diarrhea, mastitis (breast inflammation), leucorrhea (vaginal discharge), urinary tract disorders, bloody urination, jaundice, worm infestations, shortness of breath, wounds, weakness, lethargy, and aches.

• Alkaloids, steroids/terpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and organic acids (oxalic acid, caffeic acid, malic acid, citric acid).