ˌpōrchəˈlakə sometimes -rd. ə lˈa- noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, purslane, from portula, diminutive of porta gate; from the lid of its capsule that opens like a gate — more at ford
1. capitalized : a genus of mainly tropical succulent herbs (family Portulacaceae) having usually yellow, pink, red, white, or purple ephemeral flowers with 4 to 6 petals and a partly inferior one-celled ovary — see purslane
2. -s : any plant of the genus Portulaca ; especially : a plant ( P. grandiflora ) widely cultivated for its showy flowers