Phemeranthus marginatus

Plants to 0.5 dm; roots tuberous. Stems ± erect, simple. Leaves sessile but strongly contracted at or below middle and appearing petiolate; blade proximally subterete, distally flattened and oblong-spatulate, to 4 cm. Inflorescences cymose, slightly overtopped by to usually overtopping leaves; peduncle scapelike, to 2.5 cm. Flowers: sepals deciduous, broadly lanceolate to ovate, 2-3 mm; petals yellow, obovate, 3-5 mm; stamens 5; stigma 1, subcapitate. Capsules ellipsoid, 3 mm. Seeds with arcuate ridges, 1 mm.

Flowering Jul-Aug. Dry, rocky slopes, ridges, and ledges; of conservation concern; 1900-2200 m; Ariz.; n Mexico.

PLANT: Herbs to 5 cm tall. ROOTS: tuberous. STEMS: simple, erect overall, very short. LEAVES: congested, strongly contracted at or below middle and appearing petiolate, to 4 cm long; distal portion flattened, oblong-spatulate. INFLORESCENCE: lateral or terminal cymes, erect, usually overtopping the leaves; peduncles scape-like. FLOWERS: sepals broadly lanceolate to ovate, 2-3 mm long, deciduous; petals obovate 3-5 mm long, yellow; stamens 5; stigma 1, subcapitate. CAPSULES: ellipsoid, ca. 3 mm long. SEEDS: with arcuate ridges on sides, ca. 1 mm long. [Talinum marginatum Greene]. -Dry, rocky slopes, ridges and ledges: Cochise, Santa Cruz cos.; 1600-2150 m (5200-7000 ft.); Jul-Aug; Chih., Dgo., Nay., Son., Mex. REFERENCES: Allison Bair, Marissa Howe, Daniela Roth, Robin Taylor, Tina Ayers, and Robert W. Kiger., 2006, Vascular Plants of Arizona: Portulacaceae. CANOTIA 2(1): 1-22.