Species Name
Portulaca spp. (quadrifida, oleracea)
1
Family
Portulacaceae
Local Name(s)
Marayita (Konsogna);
Muqaza (Arigna); Durqalle (Mallegna); Churqale (Gamogna), Maragude (Wolayetgna)
General description
An annual succulent herb (weed)
with prostrate and many-branched stems forming a dense mat. Leaves are
sessile, simple, small, thick, fleshy and red in color. They are arranged
spirally or opposite. In fact, there are three different species (based
on the color of their leaves and stems) in the visited areas. The plant
is known as a noxious weed growing abundantly on farm fields, roadsides
and wastelands covering the ground like a mat (see picture below). It is
difficult to uproot by hand pulling as the plant tenaciously sticks to
the ground and is easily cut in to pieces that could develop in to an intact
plant. It is tolerant to desiccation and has a tendency to re-grow after
uprooting.
Edible part(s),
preparation methods and palatability
Whole plant (leaves and stem) is collected,
boiled and consumed in Konso. Nevertheless, in Bako-Gazar (Jinka) areas
unlike in Konso, only leaves and tender parts of the stem are consumed
and only in severe food shortage periods. It is also sold on market to
generate some little income. Farmers reported that the plant is delicious
but due to social status implications they are neglecting it in normal
times. Farmers in Konso consider Portulaca sp as a typical famine food
involving social status considerations. Even though it tastes good and
features apparently many advantages and positive characteristics, it is
classified as 'poor people's food that 'rich' families do not even consider
ever having to eat. The
plant is used as a salad and soup plant in some European countries.
Nutritional
value
Both
P.
oleracea and quadrifida have a high vitamin E content.
The
leaves are relatively rich in vitamin A and C, especially prior to the flowering
stage. The plant has a very high water content of about 92%. Calcium content is
high with 331mg/g of the edible portion. In Europe there exist improved erect
cultivars that are cultivated and consumed in France, Denmark and the
Netherlands.
Agroecology
Usually grows
in the mid- and lowlands particularly on disturbed/cultivated fields (300
- 1,700m). Central, Western and Chercher highlands, and in the northeast,
the south and southwest of Ethiopia. Otherwise
the plant is widespread in most warm countries and even cultivated in few
sub-tropical countries.
Propagation
method(s) & management
Vegetative
propagation by cuttings (shoots & rooted stem parts). The species is
collected from the wild and protected or cultivated by local people because it
is regarded as a noxious weed where it occurs that can easily overgrow other
crops once cultivated in a crop field.
Sample location(s)
(1)
Segen River, on-farm in mid- and highlands of Konso Special Woreda; (2)
Bako-Gazer Woreda (South Omo); (3) Lowland areas of North Omo
Remarks
Farmers
complain that it is a difficult weed to control it in that a tiny cutting of the
plant invades an area very shortly and because it grows even under moisture
stress conditions. Used as fodder especially for cows and camels. Portulaca
species used to be important for its medicinal value and is presently a
well-recognized health food and is included in the WHO's list of most-used
medicinal plants. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties
and is used to treat a range of disorders.
1
Parts
of the following description have been taken from Stroud A, Parker C, 1989:
p.204/205; Maundu et al., 1999: p.193; Katende et al., 1999: p.358/359;
Schippers R R, 2000: p.139/140.
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