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Rose-moss

Portulaca grandiflora

Found in sandy soil or around granitic flatrocks, other disturbed areas. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
3–8 inches
Spread
6 inches–1 foot
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

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  • Sweet White Violet
    Viola blanda

    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Hooded Blue Violet
    Viola sororia

    Sun: Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Blue, pink, purple or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

    Different: bloom season

  • Dwarf Crested Iris
    Iris cristata

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Blue, yellow, pink, purple or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

    Different: bloom season

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At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
July to September

Recorded in 5 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Granite and other acidic rock outcrops

Bare or thin-soil rock on granite, gneiss, sandstone, quartzite and similar acidic rock, including granite flatrocks and domes.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

14CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Portulaca

  • Agrotis ipsilonIpsilon Dart, Black Cutworm, Greasy Cutworm
  • Anarta trifoliiThe Nutmeg, Clover Cutworm
  • Anicla infectaGreen Cutworm Moth
  • Euptoieta claudiaVariegated Fritillary, (?)Gulf Fritillary
  • Euxoa messoriaReaper Dart, Darksided Cutworm, Dark-Sided Cutworm
  • Euxoa tessellataTessellate Dart, Striped Cutworm
  • Hyles lineataWhite-Lined Sphinx
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Nomophila nearcticaLucerne Moth, American Celery Webworm
  • Platynota stultanaOmnivorous Leafroller
Show all 14
  • Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
  • Spoladea recurvalisHawaiian Beet Webworm
  • Coleophora texanella
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
7BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Portulaca

  • Acanthis flammeaCommon Redpoll
  • Calcarius lapponicusLapland Longspur
  • Cyrtonyx montezumaeMontezuma Quail
  • Junco hyemalisDark-eyed Junco
  • Meleagris gallopavoWild Turkey
  • Plectrophenax nivalisSnow Bunting
  • Zonotrichia leucophrysWhite-crowned Sparrow
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Portulacaceae
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Yellow, orange, pink, purple, red or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Rose moss

Conservation status

Virginia rankNot available
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources