# help identifying a plant

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 17, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188 "2019-07-17T00:23:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188/1 "2019-07-17T00:23:11Z")

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This stuff is growing like crazy on my patio in between the pavers, and the tiny patch of dirt I use as a garden. as near as I can tell it’s common purslane. if so, it’s supposed to be edible so if it’s not going to kill me why not eat it?  
[link](https://i.imgur.com/eGnrSMK.jpg)

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**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188/2 "2019-07-17T01:37:39Z")

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> [@jz78817](#):
>
> This stuff is growing like crazy on my patio in between the pavers, and the tiny patch of dirt I use as a garden. as near as I can tell it’s common purslane. if so, it’s supposed to be edible so if it’s not going to kill me why not eat it?  
> [link](https://i.imgur.com/eGnrSMK.jpg)

Wild purslane is edible [Wild Purslane Plant, A Common “Weed” or Edible Green?](https://www.superfoodevolution.com/wild-purslane-plant.html)

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188/3 "2019-07-18T13:30:14Z")

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Purslane is good in salad - nice crunchy consistency, a slight citrusy tang.

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**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188/4 "2019-07-19T08:30:10Z")

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Purslane.

CMC fnord!

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**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188/5 "2019-07-19T14:34:53Z")

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A little purslane goes a very long way in a salad IMO. A whole bowl of the stuff does not sound appetizing to me in the least, but I have tried it and would add a few sprigs to a larger salad once in awhile. It’s on the sour/bitter side, but does have a nice lemony zesty flavor.

Make sure you’re going for the newest green shoots, they are less bitter IMO, and avoid the flowers/pods, they have a waxy taste. A few little stem segments with a few leaves each is a nice little plate garnish, also.

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**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-a-plant/837188/6 "2019-07-19T15:53:16Z")

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Yeah - pigweed. One of the top 5 I pull year after year.