purslane; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the dodecandra class of plants. There are several species, but the two following are the most remarkable. 1. The oleracea, annual or common culinary purslane, rises with herbaceous, low, succulent, branchy stalks, six or eight inches high, garnished with wedge-shaped, thick, succulent-leaves, and small close-setting flowers. There are two varieties; one with deep green leaves, the other with yellow leaves; both of which rise from the same seed. 2. The anacampseros, perennial or shrubby cape purslane, rises with a shrubby branchy stalk, about six inches high, with oval, gibbous, succulent leaves, and the stalks terminated by small clusters of red flowers. Both these plants are of a succulent nature; the first is an herbaceous annual, for culinary uses; and the second a shrubby perennial, raised by the curious for variety. They are both exotics of a tender quality, of the temperature of greenhouse or stove-plants. The common culinary purslane is raised annually from seed for summer use, and is an excellent ingredient in summer salads; but improper for winter on account of its cold moist nature. The plant being tender, must be raised either on a hot-bed, or in a warm border; in which last it will not succeed before April or May. The shrubby sort must be kept in the hot-house, in pots of dry soil.