Portulacaceae

Abstract

Portulacaceae, also known as purslane family, in the order of Caryophyllales, is a family of Dicotyledoneae flowering plants, only containing the genus Portulaca Linn. according to the APG system, with approximately 100 species, distributed worldwide, mostly in Africa, South America, and Australia. Plants are usually herbaceous, rarely subshrubs, and usually succulent. Leaves are simple, alternate or opposite, entire. Stipules are scarious, sometimes pubescent, or absent. Flowers are bisexual, actinomorphic or zygomorphic, solitary or arranged to cymose, racemose or paniculate. Sepals are 2, rarely 5, free or basal connate to ovary. Petals are 4–5, rarely more, free or basal connate slightly, imbricate, often brightly colored, and usually short lived. Stamens are isomerous and opposite to petals or more. Filaments are linear. Anthers are 2-loculed, introrsely dehiscent longitudinally. Ovary is superior or half-inferior or inferior, 1-loculed, 2–5-carpellate. Ovules are 1 to numerous, free central placentation or basal placentation. Style is solitary, linear. Stigmas are 2–8. Fruit is mostly a capsule, circumscissile or 2- or 3-valved. Seeds are numerous, tiny, embryo annular, and endosperm mealy. One species, belonging to different genera, is illustrated in this chapter.