Tiny purslane (Portulaca minuta)

Portulaca minuta

Endemic to the Bahamas and a few islands in the Florida Keys, Portulaca minuta is an exceptionally rare species of flowering plant.

Locally known as the tiny purslane, it thrives exclusively in open-canopy pine rockland habitats.

Populations typically establish themselves in small erosional depressions found within sparsely vegetated, exposed limestone formations.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ Angiosperms
  • ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
  • ∟ eudicots
  • ∟ core eudicots
  • ∟ Superasterids
  • ∟ order Caryophyllales
  • ∟ подотряд / подпорядок Portulacineae
  • ∟ family Portulacaceae (Purslane family)
  • ∟ genus Portulaca (Purslane genus)
  • ∟ species Portulaca minuta (Tiny purslane)

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Morphology

As precisely indicated by its specific epithet, Portulaca minuta is characterized by an exceptionally reduced vegetative size compared to other members of the taxonomic group. Its tiny stems and small succulent leaves emerge just a few millimeters above the hard rocky substrate where the seed manages to establish itself.

This compact and prostrate growth habit is vital for its survival in a highly hostile environment, characterized by a virtual scarcity of arable soil. Furthermore, this anatomical structure allows it to tolerate direct and prolonged exposure to the relentless island weather elements.

Interesting facts

The discovery and conservation of this species present notable botanical interest.

  • Before 2013, botanists believed this species was exclusively endemic to the Bahamas.
  • Its presence in the Florida Keys was only recently documented on islands like Big Pine Key and No Name Key.
  • The global population is critically small, persisting in fewer than 20 documented sites.
  • The primary threat to its continued survival in the wild is sea level rise.

Geography of distribution

  • Bahamas
  • United States (Florida)

Sources

  • Wikipedia
  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

See also

Mexican Purslane

Mexican Purslane

Portulaca mexicana

Portulaca mexicana is a low-growing succulent plant native to numerous states across Mexico. First described …

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Red-Stemmed Purslane

Red-Stemmed Purslane

Portulaca rubricaulis

An annual succulent herb characterized by distinctive reddish stems and solitary yellow flowers, found across …

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