M.G. Gilbert (1993) Portulacaceae. Flora of Somalia 1: 1:120-126
Plants succulent herbs, usually annual, sometimes perennial, sometimes woody at the base or with tuberous roots Leaves opposite or alternate, entire; stipules absent or represented by axillary scales and/or hairs. Inflorescences sessile heads surrounded by an involucre of leaf-like bracts, terminal but often appearing lateral or axillary because of overtopping by later growth. Flowers radially symmetric; sepals 2,fused at the base and adnate to the ovaries. petals 4-5(-6), fused at the base to the seapls and ovary, usually conspicuous but often open only for a very short time; stamens 4-100, inserted in a ring at the base of the petals; ovaries semi-inferior, 1-celled, placentation basal; ovules many; styles 1, with 2-6 lateral stigmas. Fruits capsules, dehiscence circumscissile; seeds usually many, embryos coiled.
The Portulacaceae family used to be treated as a predominantly a New World family with about 17 genera and 200-35 species. Today it is regarded as including only one genus, Portulaca. The description above has been modified to reflect this change.
The family is easily recognized by its combination of succulence, 2 sepals, deciduous petals, circumscissile capsules, and many seeds. Cultivated species usually differ in having many, brightly colored, persistent petals.