Purslane is edible for humans and may be kept in vegetable or herb gardens. It also has many medicinal benefits. While purslane is nutritious to humans, it produces a toxic response in cats. This is because the plant contains soluble calcium oxalates which a cat's digestive system cannot properly break down. These calcium oxalates are released when the plant is chewed, embedding crystals into the cat's oral and esophageal tissues, which causes pain and inflammation. Once the toxins reach the digestive tract, the gut rapidly absorbs them and begins to excrete calcium oxalate crystals from the kidneys. This can lead to renal tubular necrosis, which is a life-threatening occurrence in which cells begin to die.
Purslane is a very common, fast spreading annual plant that grows as a ground covering. It goes by many names, including “Portulaca”, “wild Portulaca”, “pigwee”, “rock moss” or “moss rose”. Scientifically it is known as Portulaca oleracea of the Portulacaceae plant family. This succulent has a red stem and fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves. Small but brightly colored blossoms can be found on the plant in yellows, oranges, and fuchsias. It is very drought hardy, and often can be found growing up through cracks in driveways. Purslane generally only grows up to 10cm high, but it can spread out far distances.