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Portulaca grandiflora
Flowering plant in the family Portulacaceae. Small, but fast-growing annual plant growing to 30 cm tall, though usually less. However if it is cultivated properly it can easily reach this height. The leaves are thick and fleshy, up to 2.5 cm long, arranged alternately or in small clusters. The flowers are 2.5–3 cm diameter with five petals, variably red, orange, pink, white, and yellow. Numerous cultivars have been selected for double flowers with additional petals, and for variation in flower color, and it is widely grown in temperate climates as an ornamental plant for annual bedding or as a container plant. It requires ample sunlight and well-drained soils. It requires almost no attention and spreads itself very easily. In places with old architecture it can grow between the stones of the road or sidewalk.
Native to Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay.
Onze-horas (Portuguese)
Spotted on Oct 3, 2011
Submitted on Oct 4, 2011
