Hi Connie,
Thanks for introducing me to this fabulous site for Vege gardening, I will be sure to dip in and out of there in future.
I have not seen or planted Verdalogas/Purslane yet so am not sure exactly what it looks like but can say that while it seems similar to the Lamb's quarters you speak of above but they belong to different families so I think that is where any similairty ends beyond the common use of an alternative name of Pigsweed.
It is edible, and (like spinach and Rhubarb), too much will interfere with calcium use in the body (high in oxalic acid). Maybe because it is added to pig's feed? Can't say.
It seems to grow differently too, higher and the leaves seem thinner and not as succulent like as purslane. Mind you, purslane goes succulent and bears little yellow flowers more readily in lower water areas and there is a thinner leaved version grown in taller versions that do not bear flowers as easily and it is this that one most often finds in the markets ... and the ground cover style found on its own growabout areas (including my containers in the near future and in my tum not too long after that!.
I went on to one my favourties site being that of the University of California and copied this next comment verbatim.
"Common Lambsquarters ; Scientific name: Chenopodium album (Goosefoot Family: Chenopodiaceae)
Common lambsquarters, a broadleaf plant, is among the most common summer annuals. It is found throughout California up to an elevation of 5900 feet (1800 m) and inhabits agricultural land and other disturbed areas. Generally common lambsquarters is considered edible. However under certain conditions, plant production of oxalates can increase to levels toxic to livestock when large amounts of leaves are consumed in a short time period. Common lambsquarter is also susceptible to many viruses that affect several crops and ornamentals. These include beet curly top; potato viruses X, M, and S; ringspot viruses of tomato, pepper, potato, Prunus species, and mulberry; and mosaic viruses of alfalfa, bean, beet, barley, lettuce, cucumber, squash, eggplant, hops, primula, watermelon, and wisteria. Many species of small mammals and birds consume the seeds.
Habitat
Fields, pastures, agronomic and vegetable croplands, gardens, orchards, vineyards, landscaped areas, roadsides, and other disturbed locations."
Of course there is more information but for this post I thought this was enough.
Thanks for your info, now please send a pot for my supper tonight! Smiling.
If anyone else has anything else to add, please let us know. Anyone from the UK? Linda? Pigsweed is the name more usually used as an alternative for purslane there.
Cheers for now
