M.G. Gilbert (1993) Portulacaceae. Flora of Somalia 1: 1:120-126
Plants annual or pereenial succulent herbs, sometimes woody at the base or with tuberous roots. Leaves alternate or opposite; node with scaleand/or hairs restricted to the axils in alternate-leaved species, in complete whorls around the the nodes of opposite -leaved species. Inflorescences terminal, sessile heads surrounded by an involucre of, usually, leaflike bracts and often many hairs. Sepals jointed at the base, adnate to the base of the ovaries; petals 4-5(-6) (more in cultivated plants), fused to the sepals and ovaries at their bases, usually conspicuous but open only for a short time in sunny weather; stamens 4 to about 100, inserted in a ring at the base of the petals; ovaries semi-inferior, the basal part fused to the perianth, with many ovules; stigmas 2-6. Capsules with circumscissile dehiscence, the top forming a cap that is often enclosed in the dried perianth. Seeds usually numerous, soometimes with a metallic lustre.
Estimates of the numberof species in Portulaca vary from 15 to as many as 200. They grow in tropical and warm regions around the world but are particularly well-developed in the New World.