Kiss-me-quick (Portulaca pilosa, Sp. Pl.: 445 (1753))

Family: Portulacaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 445 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Portulaca

Vegetable: False

Observations: Hawaiian Is., C. & S. U.S.A. to Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Kiss-me-quick, scientifically known as Portulaca pilosa, is a delightful and resilient plant that thrives in a variety of climates and regions. First classified by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this charming plant belongs to the Portulacaceae family.

Characterized by its vibrant, often pinkish-purple flowers, Kiss-me-quick adds a splash of color to gardens and natural landscapes alike. Its flowers are small yet numerous, creating a bright and cheerful display that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any setting. The leaves of this plant are succulent, reflecting its ability to store water and endure dry conditions, an adaptation that underscores its hardiness.

Portulaca pilosa is native to a broad range of locales that includes the Hawaiian Islands, central and southern regions of the United States, and stretches across tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas. This wide distribution showcases its remarkable adaptability to varying environmental conditions, from coastal areas to inland regions.

The plant’s low-growing and sprawling habit makes it an excellent ground cover, particularly in sunny, well-drained spots. Because of its drought tolerance, Kiss-me-quick is a popular choice for xeriscaping — a landscaping practice designed to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. It naturally complements rock gardens, sandy soils, and other challenging planting areas where many conventional plants might struggle.

Moreover, Portulaca pilosa plays an important role in its native ecosystems. It can provide food for pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are attracted to its bright blossoms. Despite its delicate appearance, the plant’s robustness allows it to survive in less-than-ideal soil conditions, helping to stabilize soil and prevent erosion.

Gardeners and plant enthusiasts appreciate Kiss-me-quick not only for its beauty but also for its low-maintenance nature. Its ability to thrive in poor soils and with minimal water makes it a perfect addition for those looking to cultivate an easy-care garden. It’s also versatile enough to grow in containers, hanging baskets, and as an edging plant along pathways and borders.

In conclusion, Kiss-me-quick (Portulaca pilosa) is a testament to nature’s ingenuity, combining beauty, resilience, and ecological value. Whether grown for its lovely flowers or its capacity to withstand tough conditions, this plant continues to be cherished by gardeners and nature lovers alike.

Common Names

Eng: kiss me quick, chisme, hairy-pigweed, kiss-me-quick
Hun: borzas porcsin
Swe: skäggportlak
En: Kiss-me-quick, Hairy-pigweed, Kiss me quick, Chisme
Zh: Mao ma chia xian, 毛馬齒莧
Hu: Borzas porcsin
Pt: Amor crescido
Sv: Skäggportlak
Zh-tw: 毛馬齒莧

Synonyms

• Portulaca halimoides var. brevipilosa (Poelln.)
• Portulaca pilosa var. normalis (Kuntze)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Botswana (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kazan-retto (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maluku (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Phoenix Is. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Morazan Claudia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Aaron Galvin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Hussain Tawawalla (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Cauich Ahiram (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by aria salan (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 7, 2022 by José Wilkerson Sá Menezes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2022 by isabela moreira (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2020 by alexis postic (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Dhruv Singhal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by Ziganchina (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Chiara Ulivi Chiara Ulivi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Chiara Ulivi Chiara Ulivi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Chiara Ulivi Chiara Ulivi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by aria salan (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Madison Goretoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2020 by Madison Goretoy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Fagner Nunes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2022 by Firliany Syahira (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Pereira Ferreira jerimario (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Françoise Dest (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316354-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3084704)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Portulaca pilosa L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth