A common weed harbors important clues about how to create drought resistant crops in a world beset by climate change. Scientists describe how Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as purslane, integrates two distinct metabolic pathways to create a novel type of photosynthesis that enables the weed to endure drought while remaining highly productive.A common weed harbors important clues about how to create drought resistant crops in a world beset by climate change. Scientists describe how Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as purslane, integrates two distinct metabolic pathways to create a novel type of photosynthesis that enables the weed to endure drought while remaining highly productive.