[ 'pə:slən ]
■ noun a small fleshy-leaved plant of damp or marshy habitats, some kinds of which are edible. [ Atriplex portulacoides ( sea ~ ) and other species.]
Origin
ME: from OFr. porcelaine , prob. from L. porcil(l)aca , var. of portulaca , influenced by Fr. porcelaine 'porcelain'.