Question
What Are They
I have been keeping these alive by bringing them in every year under ultraviolet lights. We have had them long enough we don't know what they are. I believe they are related but not quite the same. What are they? Can I put one or either in the ground next summer and have them come back year after year? I combined and numbered the pictures.
AnswerHi Brian,
Thanx for your question. Both of the plants are purslanes which are annuals. These plants also grow as weeds in many parts of the United States. They have small yellow flowers as opposed to the cultivated variety you are showing that can be quite flowery and often found growing in hanging baskets. These plants are not winter hardy but they readily self-seed like their cousins the moss rose or potulaca. After the flower has bloomed it will form a capsule. When the capsule dries it will open up revealing small black seeds. You can use the seeds next year. If these are hybrids there will be variation from the original plant. I hope this helps.
Tom
http://www.tclawnservices.com/images/purslane%20assorted.jpg this is a link you might find helpful.
