COMPARISON OF THE INVASIVE PROPERTIES OF PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA L.) TO THAT OF TWO PURSLANE CULTIVARS (P. OLERACEA SUBSP. SATIVA 'GOLDBERG' AND P.OLERACEA YUBI® SUMMER JOY SERIES)

Abstract

The invasive properties of two popular purslane cultivars, Portulaca oleracea subsp. sativa 'Goldberg' (Gold) and P. oleracea Yubi® Summer Joy Series (Yubi® were compared to those of the weedy species, P. oleracea (Weed). Several treatments representing different growing conditions were used to compare the influence of stress and disturbance on these plants. Germination, growth, and reproduction were measured to determine if P. oleracea subsp. sativa 'Goldberg' and/or P. oleracea 'Yubi® Summer Joy Series' were as invasive as P. oleracea. Germination was consistently greater in Gold than Weed (approximately 95 percent and 50 percent, respectively). Asexual reproduction was approximately 16 percent greater in Yubi® than in Weed. Under full sunlight both cultivars grew as rapidly as Weed and all plants flowered while only Weed and Gold set seed. These results indicate that cultivars 'Goldberg' and 'Yubi® Summer Joy Series' have the capacity to reproduce and establish in disturbed environments. The invasive potential of these cultivars requires additional research but results suggest the need for caution by gardeners and land managers.