Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Portulaca L., Sp. Pl. 445 (1753)
Type Taxon:
 Description

Glabrous, taprooted, annual or perennial, fleshy herbs. Stems branching, prostrate to ascending, vegetative and reproductive. Lvs many, usually spiralled to subopposite, sometimes opposite, the uppermost whorled below the infl.; axillary hair-tufts present. Infl. terminal, few-flowered, bracteate, or fls solitary. Sepals hooded, the anterior overlapping the posterior. Petals 4–6. Stamens 4-many. Ovary semi-inferior, of 3–8 fused carpels; style branches 3–8. Capsule thin-walled, 1-locular, circumscissile; seeds many.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Portulaca L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Exotic: Casual2
Total3
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.