Portulacaceae

The Portulacaceaefamilynumbers approximately 20 genera and500 speciesofherbaceous or shrub-likeplants. The leaves are uncut, alternate and opposing, usually fleshy with a stipule. The flowersare solitary or in inflorescences, bisexual, with a well shaped perianth consisting of 2 free or basally attached sepals and4-6 accrete at the base petals. The number of stamens may be 2-4 times bigger than the number of the petals. The seed-vessel is one; the ovary is of unilocular containing one or many ova.The fruit is usually a capsule.
Spread globally primarily in the dry regions of North America and the Andes.