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portulaca
portulaca [ páwrty lákə ] (plural portulacas)


noun 
Definition:
 
garden plant: a widely cultivated fleshy-leaved plant. Flowers: brightly coloured. Native to: tropical and subtropical America.  Genus Portulaca.
[Mid-16th century. < Latin, 'purslane' < portula 'little gate' < porta 'gate'; because the covering of the seed capsule resembles a gate]
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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