Portulaca is a small group of trailing annuals. P. grandiflora, Sun Plant, is a popular kind native of Brazil. The sprawling stems grow 4 or 5 inches long and are clothed with somewhat succulent, cylindrical leaves. Several large flowers, up to an inch in diameter, grow at the ends of the stems. They come in an array of bright, beautiful colors; purple, scarlet, yellow and pink are just a few. There are both single- and double-flowered varieties. P. oleracea, the common Purslane, can grow up to 6 inches high. It is from southern Europe and can be an annoying garden weed. This and a variety of it, P. oleracea variety sativa can be grown in the vegetable garden. Even the weedy wild Purslane is good used as a potherb or in a salad, but the cultivated variety is larger and more tender. Purslane is a trailing annual with reddish, fleshy stems whose joints will form roots when they come in contact with the ground. The fleshy leaves are spoon shaped and up to 2 inches long and the small flowers are a brilliant yellow. Cultivated Purslane [also known as Pusley & Verdolaga] grows about 3 inches high and 12 to 18 inches wide. The plants are succulent and delicate.