PURSLANE: A genus of the monogynous order, belonging to the dodecandra class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 13th order, Succulentae. The corolla is pentapetalous; the calyx bifid; the capsule unicellular, and cut round. There are several species, but the two following are the most remarkable. 1. The olacacea, 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 clove-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 flower plants. The common culinary purslane is raised annually from seed for summer use, and is an excellent ingredient. Portumna 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 root must be kept in the hot-house, in pots of dry soil.