TALINACEAE
is a newly recognized plant family that was earlier included in the Portulacaceae but is now a separate family due to its distinct features. It includes only 2 genera namely, Talinum and Talinella and 28 accepted species. Members are native to the Americas, Africa and Madagascar..
🌷Members of Talinaceae are flowering, fleshy herbs with erect, ascending or scrambling stems.
🌷The leaves are simple and have entire margins. They are usually arranged as a basal rosette or sub-rosette and are arranged alternating on the stems/branches.
🌷The inflorescence is normally a compact panicle with branched lateral cymes. Flowers are bisexual with 2 sepals and 5 petals. Style is shorter than the filaments of stamens.
🌷The fruit is a capsule that contains several seeds.
🌷Growth habit: Talinaceae plants may be annual or perennial, herbs.
🌷Habitat: These plants are commonly found in open or disturbed habitats, such as savannas, forest edges, and roadsides.
🌷In Singapore, there are several species of Talinaceae plants that can be found in the wild include:
Talinum ‘limon’
Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum) and
Surinam Purslane/Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare )
All these have edible leaves rich in vitamins. They also find use in traditional medicines.
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