M.G. Gilbert (1993) Talinum. in M. Thulin (Ed.) Flora of Somalia 1:120
Plants perennial herbs or subshrubs, often with enlarged rootstock, bases sometimes woody. Leaves usually alternate, rarely subopposite or in basal rosettes. Inflorescences terminal axillary cymes or raceme-like panicles or reduced to axillary flowers. Flowers pedicellate; petals 5, free or joined only at the base, bright pinkish purple or yellow; stamens 5-many; ovaries superior; ovules many; styles slender, with 3-lobed stigma. Fruits capsules, with 3 valves often glossy, straw-colored; seeds many, kidney- or lens-shaped, often black with white aril.
Talinum is a pantropical genus of about 30 species. Only one species, Talinum portulacifolium, is known to be in Somaliland and Somalia.