Portulaca elatior

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Portulaca catingaensis
• Portulaca erecta
• Portulaca venezuelensis
• Portulaca urbaniana
• Portulaca milleri

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Portulacaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Portulaca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Portulaca oleracea, exhibits a broad presence throughout various regions of the Caribbean. It can be found growing across the island of Aruba, contributing to the local flora. Its distribution extends to major islands such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the species is commonly documented within the Netherlands Antilles. Finally, it is also widely spread throughout the Venezuelan Antilles.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Portulaca elatior is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse and often challenging landscapes, ranging from low-lying coastal areas to higher montane regions. It occupies a broad elevational gradient, found at altitudes starting from as low as 30 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting various specialized environments including the semi-arid Caatinga (stricto sensu), the high-altitude rocky fields of Campo Rupestre, and the sandy coastal ecosystems of Restinga. Furthermore, it is frequently observed growing in specialized vegetation over rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos), indicating a high tolerance for thin soils and exposed microhabitats.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Restinga, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Morphology

The morphology of Portulaca elatior is characterized by its classification as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a growth form that is strictly herbaceous rather than woody. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and thrives in terrestrial environments, distinguishing itself from aquatic or semiaquatic species. As a self-supporting plant, it does not possess the climbing or vining habits of lianas or obligatory climbers, nor does it function as an epiphyte; instead, it remains a terrestrial herb. Its structure is defined by this succulent, non-woody habit, ensuring it maintains a stable, self-supporting presence within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Portulaca elatior is primarily driven by the production of numerous tiny seeds, which serve as the principal mechanism for species dispersal and propagation. These seeds are characterized by their extremely small size and uniform weight, exhibiting a seed mass of exactly 5e-05 g. This consistency is reflected across the biological profile of the plant, as both the mean, maximum, and minimum recorded seed mass values are identical at 5e-05 g. This high degree of uniformity in seed mass suggests a specialized reproductive strategy where the plant allocates a highly standardized amount of resources into each individual seed, facilitating efficient dispersal and successful germination within its ecological niche.

Seed mass mean:

5e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Portulaca elatior has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lectin.

Lectin

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Portulaca elatior has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.

Bacillus megaterium

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Portulaca elatior has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include saline extract.

Saline extract

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)