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Purslane is a prostrate, fleshy, succulent summer annual that is able to tolerate poor, compacted soils and drought. The reddish stems originate from a central rooting point, radiating out like spokes of a wheel. Leaves are alternate or opposite, thick, succulent and fleshy, with smooth margins. Stems are smooth, prostrate, much-branched, purplish red or green. Flowers are yellow in color with 5 petals and open only when sunny. Flowers are found alone in the leaf axils or clustered at the ends of the branches. Purslane germinates from February to March in the southern desert areas to late spring in cooler areas when soil temperatures reach about 60°F. Because of its ability to produce large numbers of seeds, purslane can rapidly colonize any warm, moist site.