Purslane (Family Portulacaceae)

Portulacaceae is a family of flowering plants in Order Caryo-

phyllales, comprising about 20 genera with about 500 species, rang-

ing from herbaceous plants to shrubs. The family has been recognis-

ed by most taxonomists, and is also known as the Purslane Family.

The family is very similar to Family Caryophyllaceae.

Family Portulacaceae has a cosmopolitan distribution, with the

highest diversity in semi-arid regions of the Southern Hemisphere

in Africa, Australia, and South America, poorly represented in Eur-

asia, with a few species also extending north into Arctic regions.

A few cultivated ornamentals (e.g., Portulaca grandiflora, Talinum,
Lewisia and Calandrina spp.), and Portulaca oleracea constitutes a
potherb and salad green.

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