Portulaca
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Authority
Britton, Nathaniel L. & Millspaugh, Charles F. 1920. The Bahama Flora.
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Family
Portulacaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Diffuse or ascending, glabrous or pubescent succulent herbs, with terminal flowers. Sepals 2, united at the base and partly adnate to the ovary. Petals 4-6 (mainly 5), inserted on the calyx, fugacious. Stamens 7-x, also on the calyx. Ovary many-ovuled; style deeply 3-9-cleft or parted. Capsule membranous, dehiscent by a lid, many-seeded. [Latin, in allusion to the purging qualites of some species.] A genus of about 20 species, all but 2 or 3 natives of America. Type species: Portulaca oleracea L.