ABSTRACT
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action Oxalates are the primary toxins in Portulaca. The common garden weed purslane (P. oleraceae) may have oxalate levels as high as 17% dry matter.1 Purslane has been used as a food source as long as it is well cooked to remove the soluble oxalates. Animals have been poisoned by eating large quantities of the plant and developed typical signs of oxalate poisoning seen with other oxalate containing plants such as wood sorrel (Oxalis spp.)1 If eaten in quantity the oxalates can induce hypocalcemia and oxalate nephrosis.
