Scientific Family
Portulacaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
To 10 inches
Riparian
Yes
Low growing plant with prostrate to suberect stems that are 2 to 8 inches long. The numerous leaves are bright green and fleshy.
The
5 petals of each flower are yellow tipped with red. It is a common weedy species of the southwestern United States.
Top-like fruits encircled by expanded, membranaceous wing.
Habitat
Dry sandy or rocky soils, upland desert grasslands, oak woodlands, wash bottoms, disturbed sites, riaparian.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
The small flowers have 5 yellow petals tipped with red. Flowers can also be solid yellow. They are borne singly in leaf axils. The plant
typically blooms after the monsoon rains have begun.
Flower color
Yellow tipped with reddish-orange
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are prostrate to suberect with sparse hairs at nodes. The fleshy leaves are 1/2 to 2 inches long and they are wider at the tip than at the base.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules about 1/8 inch diameter with encircling, expanded, membranaceous wing.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Grey
The tiny seeds are grey, round or elongated and flattened.