Portulacaceae

  
 

 

Genera : 20

Species: 500

 

Links to Directory of Images:

 

Distribution: Cosmopolitan.

 

Economic Uses: A food source for North American Plains Indians and a common bedding plant, also used in rock gradens..

Defining Features of Interest: The species Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty) exhibits the phenomenon of chromosomal drift, having a range of chromosome number from 12 to +/- 200.

Fossil Evidence: No known fossil record.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Actinomorphic and perfect. Inflorescence as solitary flowers, cymes or racemes. Hypogynous.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit as a capsule. Seeds smooth and shiny with a large, coiled embryo. Endosperm lacking. Placentation is free-central or basal.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as annual or perennial, somewhat succulent herbs (rarely shrubs). Leaves simple and alternate. Stipules thin and dry or lacking.