Growth Characteristics of Weediness in Portulaca Oleracea L.

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Abstract
The growth responses of Portulaca oleracea plants from a central Michigan population are compared with representative populations of Portulaca grandiflora, a cultivar, and Portulaca pilosa, a plant of southern and relatively narrow distribution in this country. In comparison tests, and species show a significant interaction with photoperiod, light intensity, temperature, and soil types. Portulaca oleracea is a weed, in part because its process and pattern of growth give the plant quick response capability. In contrast to its companion species, P. oleracea uses a wide variety of photoperiods, and capsule numbers are positively correlated with amounts of light received. This weed is widely tolerant of light intensities, temperature regimes, and soil types, and the plants produce adequate levels of capsules over a wide range of these factors. In addition, individuals have the ability to produce large numbers of capsules rapidly when high levels of these factors become available.