Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Trianthema portulacastrum Linnaeus
(Desert Horse Purslane)
Family: Aizoaceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Trianthema portulacastrum is an inconspicuous plant that is easily overlooked in waste areas or flatlands. The small purple flowers may only be open for a short time in the mornings. The succulent leaves and stems look somewhat like Portulaca. There are stipules present with one spine in the center. The fruit is a capsule.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
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Trianthema portulacastrum, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, branch, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, flower, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, flower with ant pollinator, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, fruit, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, stipule, spine & fruit, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, leaf front, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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Trianthema portulacastrum, leaf back, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, San Vicente Park, August 30, 2011
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