Portulaceæ

Portulaceæ, or PORTULACACEÆ, a natural order of exogenous plants, nearly allied to Caryophyllaceæ. The species are not very numerous; they are much diffused over the world, and are shrubby or herbaceous, generally succulent, mostly growing in dry places. The flowers are often large and beautiful, but ephemeral. The foliage is bland and insipid. Some species are used as salads and pot-herbs, of which the best known is Purslane (q.v.). The tuberous roots of Claytonia tuberosa, a Siberian plant, are used for food. The genera Calandrinia and Portulaca furnish some beautiful annuals.