Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Phemeranthus brevifolius (Torrey) Hershkovitz
(Pygmy Flamethrower)

Family: Montiaceae, formerly Portulacaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Talinum brevifolium Torrey
Talinum brachypodum S. Watson

Phemeranthus brevifolius has a striking purple flower and leaves that are terete (round in cross section.) Unlike the genus Portulaca in which the capsules open in a circumcissile fashion, the capsules in P. brevifolius open by valves peeling down from the apex. The branches and inflorescence are glabrous, and it is a perennial from a thick caudex. It is found at lower elevation on rocky slopes in the Gila.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Phemeranthus brevifolius, photo Rod Rees, Hell's Half Acre, October 1, 2011



Phemeranthus brevifolius, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019



Phemeranthus brevifolius, closeup of branch with bud, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019



Phemeranthus brevifolius, perennial root/caudex, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019



Phemeranthus brevifolius, closeup of capsule, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019


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