Family: Portulacaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Portulaca grandiflora, commonly known as moss-rose, is a low-growing flowering succulent native to South America, ranging from Peru and Brazil to Argentina. This colorful ornamental plant is prized for its bright, rose-like blooms that come in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, white, and purple. Moss-rose thrives in sunny, dry conditions and is widely used in gardens, hanging baskets, borders, rock gardens, and containers because of its drought tolerance and long flowering season. Its fleshy leaves and spreading habit make it a popular choice for groundcover in warm climates.

Risks & Threats
Although Portulaca grandiflora is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it does possess traits that are cause for concern and could potentially detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. The species readily reproduces by seed, tolerates heat and drought, and can spread quickly in disturbed or open habitats. These characteristics may allow it to escape cultivation and compete with native vegetation in suitable environments. Because of these potential risks, Plant Pono recommends choosing a low risk or native alternative when such alternatives are available, especially for landscaping near natural areas.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (USDA zones 5–11)
  
• Native and naturalized in tropical/subtropical regions
  
• Repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Naturalized in Europe and North America
  
• Congeneric weed (P. oleracea is a major weed)
  
• Tolerates poor, sandy, loamy, acidic, neutral, and alkaline soils
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Self-compatible (self-pollinates)
  
• Vegetative reproduction (roots from stem nodes)
  
• Annual; reseeds readily
  
• Unintentional dispersal (roadsides, waste places)
  
• Intentional dispersal (sold as garden seeds)
  
• Prolific seed production (200+ seeds per capsule)

Low Risk Traits:

• No agricultural/environmental weed status
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not parasitic, toxic, or a pest host
  
• Edible (leaves, roots, seeds)
  
• Not shade tolerant