Portulaca (lutea)
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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 | ||
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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 2025/01/31). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
