Plants to 15 dm. Stems usually stout. Leaves to 9 cm; blade obovate to oblanceolate, base attenuate. Inflorescences racemose or cymose. Flowers: sepals persistent, lanceolate to ovate, 5–6 mm; petals purplish, pink, or white, sometimes yellow, elliptic to ovate, 7–13 mm; stamens 20–35; stigma 1, 3-lobed; pedicel triquetrous, distally thickened, to 12 mm. Capsules subglobose, 4–6 mm; exocarp and endocarp usually not separating after dehiscence, valves wholly deciduous. 2n = 24, 48.

Phenology: Flowering and fruiting year-round.
Habitat: Pinelands, hammocks, and disturbed areas, sandy soils
Elevation: 0-100 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Africa.

Discussion

Talinum fruticosum is a primarily tropical species that may not be native in the flora area. In western Africa, the leaves are eaten as a potherb.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.