When it comes to ground coverage, there aren't many plants that can keep up with Purslane. The knotted mass of tender flesh that Purslane spreads far and wide during hot summer months provides formidable ground cover, casting hopeful weeds into deadly shadow, away from the sunlight they need to flourish. This blanket effect of low-lying foliage also helps to keep the ground cool and damp to the benefit of any taller crop companions you might be growing nearby. Keeping the ground fresh and moist is a key factor in the successful cultivation of anything from herbs to salads, vegetables to flowers. Not only does Purslane provide excellent companionship to any number of prized plants in your garden, it's presence is also signifies of healthy and nutrient-rich soil. What a hero.Despite lacking pesticidal traits and failing to provide any notable nutritional supplement to soil, Purslane's gift is its ability to carpet your garden in a thick base layer of green. Here are just a few benefits of this talent:
While Purslane helps to regulate the temperature and water content of the soil in your vegetable patch and garrisons your garden against the invasion of weeds or simply keep the soil in place, you can also grab a handful and enjoy it in a sandwich or salad, as Purslane is edible!The aboriginals called Purslane, Munyeroo. They collected the tiny black seeds to make seed cakes or pounded them into a flour to make a kind of damper.Image: eathappynow.com