Portulaca quadrifida

P. quadrifida is a succulent, annual, mat-forming species. The native range of this species is not clearly defined and many describe it as pantropical. P. quadrifida has been introduced into a number of new countries around the world. There are no records of P. quadrifida behaving as an invasive weed outside its native range, where it acts as an agricultural weed. This species is not particularly competitive but, as a halophyte, it is resistant to drought and areas of low soil fertility and therefore readily becomes dominant under such circumstances. There is also a large amount of variation within this species enabling it to adapt to new environments. As a plant with food and herbal properties, there are possibilities for deliberate introduction of this species into new areas where it could be problematic.