por·tu·lac·a (pôr ch -l k , p r-)n. Any of various fleshy plants of the genus Portulaca, especially P. grandiflora of South America, cultivated for its showy colorful flowers that open only in sunlight. Also called rose moss. [Middle English, from Latin portul  ca, purslane, from portula, diminutive of porta, gate (from the gatelike covering of the seed capsule); see per-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
portulaca [ˌpɔːtjʊˈlækə -ˈleɪkə]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any portulacaceous plant of the genus Portulaca, such as rose moss and purslane, of tropical and subtropical America, having yellow, pink, or purple showy flowers
[from Latin: purslane]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  portulaca - a plant of the genus Portulaca having pink or red or purple or white ephemeral flowersflower - a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms genus Portulaca - genus of mainly tropical fleshy or trailing herbs Portulaca grandiflora, rose moss, sun plant - widely cultivated in many varieties for its fleshy moss-like foliage and profusion of brightly colored flowers |
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