PORTULACA

[por.tu.laca] n [NL, fr. L, purslane, fr. portula, dim. of porta gate; fr. the lid of its capsule--more at port] (1548): any of a genus (Portulaca) of mainly tropical succulent herbs of the purslane family; esp: a widely cultivated plant (P. grandiflora) with showy flowers and small conical leaves