Scientists at Yale University have found that the common weed/Portulaca
oleracea/, commonly known as purslane, holds the key to creating drought
resistant crops.

According to the Yale study published in/Science Advances/, purslane
integrates two metabolic pathways that enable the weed to resist
droughtwhile remaining highly productive. Purslane is unique because it
possesses both C4 and CAM functions. Scientists have previously believed
that C4 and CAM operated independently in the leaves of purslane.

The Yale team conducted a spatial analysis ofgeneexpression in the
leaves of purslane and found that C4 and CAM activities are integrated
and operate in the same cells, with products of CAM reactions processed
by the C4 pathway. This system gives the weed an unusually high
protection during drought.

[news.yale.edu]