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Portulaca (lutea)

Kim Martz and Forest Starr
Biologists
USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge,1082 Makepono St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
http://www.ggnpa.org

Family Scientific Name: Portulacaceae
Family Common Name: Purslane Family
Scientific Name: Portulaca lutea Soland.ex G. Forst
Common Name: 'Ihi
Species Code: PORLUT
Ecotype: Midway Atoll
General Distribution: Indigenous to Hawai'i. Widespread in the Pacific from New Caledonia to
Pitcairn Island north to Polynesia and Micronesia. In Hawai'i, occurring in coastal and
strand habitats, 0-40 m, on lava, raised coralline reef, sand dunes, and in soil pockets or
cracks, on all of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands except Kure Atoll and Pearl and
Hermes Atoll, and windward, occasionally leeward coasts of O'ahu, Moloka'i, Lana'i,
Maui, and Hawai'i. On Midway, P. lutea, P. oleraceae, and the hybrid have been
observed. Often flowers were not observed on plants and were indistinguishable.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: vegetative
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 3.5 in containerized cutting
Time To Grow: 6 Months
Target Specifications: Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container.<br>
Propagule Collection: plants should only be propagated by cuttings due to the presence of the alien species and the hybridization of it with this species.
Plants will need to be positively identified, then cuttings will be the appropriate way to
propagate the plant. Propagation by seeds can not be done because of the hybridization
problem.
or collection of native plants to propagate by cuttings, you will
need: gloves, clippers, zip-lock or plastic garbage bag for collection, and some water.
Collect plants from the site, taking care to take only what you need. Collect from areas
that have a large enough population so that damage will be minimal. Gently pull or cut
strands of plants from main patch. Place in trash bag or plastic bag. Add a small amount
of water to bag and store in a dry, cool, shady area.
Propagule Processing: Cuttings can be stored overnight, but immediate propagation following collection is best.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Work in a shady area once back in the nursery. Use clean 3 «"
pots arranged in tray. Use well drained potting mix. Fill pots about 1/3 full. Cut plants
into desired lengths, at least 3 nodes per strand (6-8 inches in length). Place about 3
strands in each pot. This is done because the success rate for cuttings is usually not 100%
but more like 75-80% and so using a few strands per pot increases the likelihood that at
least 1 strand per pot will be successful. Rooting hormone may be used for certain
species while other species do not need it. Fill the rest of the pot with potting mix.
Water daily. Cuttings need to be kept in a moist humid environment. In the nursery, this
can be achieved by misting plants several times during the day to keep them moist.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
The nursery's irrigation system is comprised of sprinkler heads which are
manually operated. The sprinklers aremisters and should be maintained so that they flow
freely. Potted plants are watered daily, either in the morning or the evening.

Potting media is Sunshine Mix potting soil, and is used in a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 (v:v) potting soil to sand ratio.

Diseases and insects are controlled by removing them manually off plants, sticky traps or using a solution of soapy water.
Be sure to rinse soapy solution off plants after a few hours. Row covers physically prevent insects and birds from landing on plants.
Establishment Phase: Plants will form roots in 2 to 3 weeks. Care should be given not to over water this species.
Length of Establishment Phase: 1 month
Length of Active Growth Phase: 5 months
Other Comments: Easily confused with the alien species,
Portulaca oleraceae and also forms hybrids with this species as well. P. lutea can be
distinguished from P. oleraceae and the hybrid by the size of the flower and number of
stamens. P. oleraceae will have older stems without secondary growth; stamens 7-10(-
15); capsules ca. 4 mm long. As compared to P. lutea with older stems with a thin, pale,
corky layer of secondary growth; stamens (-12) 18-55; capsules 7-9 mm long. The
hybrid is somewhere in between. Care needs to be taken when distinguishing the three
but it is possible.
References: Bornhorst, H. L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants, a how-to guide for the
gardener. The Bess Press, Inc., Hong Kong.
Bruegmann, M. M. 1998. Report on a botanical survey of Midway Atoll, April 1-7,
1995. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Christophersen, E. and E. L. Caum. 1931. Vascular Plants of the Leeward Island.
Hawai'i. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 81, Tanager Expedition Publication
Number 7, Honolulu.
Lilleeng-Rosenberger, K. date unknown. Propagation techniques for native Hawaiian
plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden.
Morin, M. and S. Conant. 1998. Laysan Island ecosystem restoration plan. University
of Hawai'i.
Neal, M. C. 1965. In gardens of Hawai'i. Bishop Museum Press, special publication 50,
Honolulu.
Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of
Hawai'i, 2 vols. Bishop Museum Special Publication 83, Honolulu.
Whistler, W. A. 1992. Flowers of the Pacific island seashore. University of Hawai'i
Press, Honolulu.

Citation:

Martz, Kim; Starr, Forest. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Portulaca lutea Soland.ex G. Forst plants 3.5 in containerized cutting; USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Honolulu, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/23). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.