Ceylon Spinach

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ceylon Spinach
• Ceylon-spinach
• Philippine-spinach
• Surinam-purslane
• sweetheart
• waterleaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Portulaca triangularis
• Claytonia triangularis var. crassifolia
• Talinum crassicaule
• Portulaca crassifolia
• Calandrinia andrewsii
• Portulaca crassicaulis
• Talinum confusum
• Calandrinia lockhartii
• Calandrinia pachypoda
• Talinum mucronatum
• Talinum attenuatum
• Talinum triangulare var. purpureum
• Talinum crassifolium var. albiflorum
• Talinum crassifolium
• Ruelingia triangularis
• Claytonia triangularis
• Talinum triangulare
• Portulaca fruticosa
• Talinum revolutum
• Talinum andrewsii

Regional and Traditional Names

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 into the order Caryophyllales and the family Talinaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Talinum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, it can be specifically found in Cape Verde. Its presence is also extensively documented throughout West Tropical Africa. In this region, it is located in countries such as Benin, Burkina, and Ghana. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the territory of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Talinum fruticosum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varied landscape types. It occupies a broad ecological niche, thriving in habitats ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized ecosystems such as the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo de Várzea, Carrasco, and coastal Restinga. Furthermore, the species is well-integrated into seasonal forest structures, specifically within both Deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual) and Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual). This wide distribution is supported by a significant altitudinal tolerance, as the species can be found across an elevational range starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1580 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1580 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo de Várzea, Carrasco, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Talinum fruticosum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the species is identified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent organs are located close to the soil surface, often protected by accumulated organic matter or litter. This specific life form, categorized both as a chamaephyte and specifically within the chamaephyte group, enables the plant to maintain resilience and regrowth capabilities within its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Talinum fruticosum is characterized by a growth form that is primarily classified as a herb, though it often exhibits the structural qualities of a subshrub. It is a non-woody, terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.5 m and possesses a self-supporting growth habit, meaning it does not require external structures like vines or lianas to maintain its posture. Furthermore, it is strictly a terrestrial species, showing no epiphytic or aquatic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Talinum fruticosum is characterized by a succulent growth habit designed for efficient water storage and metabolic resilience in diverse environments. As a member of the Talinaceae family, the plant utilizes Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) or modified C3 pathways to manage carbon fixation, allowing it to maintain turgidity and survive periods of drought through its fleshy leaves and roots. The plant exhibits a robust photosynthetic capacity, driving the production of various secondary metabolites, including saponins and flavonoids, which serve as physiological defense mechanisms against herbivory and environmental stress. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, Talinum fruticosum does not possess the specialized symbiotic relationships required for atmospheric nitrogen conversion; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Instead, it relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the soil through its root system to support its vegetative growth and reproductive cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Talinum fruticosum is characterized by a highly flexible phenological cycle, as its flowering and fruiting periods are highly variable throughout the year. While the plant can exhibit reproductive activity across all months—ranging from January through December—the data indicates a significant presence of both flowering and fruiting stages starting in November. This overlapping cycle suggests that the plant can produce flowers and subsequently develop fruits at various intervals depending on environmental conditions. The reproductive output is completed through the production of very small seeds, which maintain a highly consistent mass. Specifically, the seed mass is recorded with a mean, maximum, and minimum value of 0.00017 g, indicating a uniform and minute seed size that facilitates its dispersal and germination processes.

Flowering time :

Nov

Fruiting time :

Nov

Seed mass mean:

0.00017 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Talinum fruticosum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Metabolic brain disease
2. Ecology of food and nutrition
3. Pharmacognosy magazine

Root

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Talinum fruticosum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6,10,14-TRIMETHYL-2-PENTADECANONE, Amide, Indole-3-carboxylic acid, Phytol, Steroids.

6,10,14-TRIMETHYL-2-PENTADECANONE

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Amide

1. Fitoterapia

Indole-3-carboxylic acid

1. Fitoterapia

Phytol

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Steroids

1. Fitoterapia

p-hydroxy benzoic acid

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Talinum fruticosum has 5 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cholinergic, Dopaminergic, Gastroprotective, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Cholinergic

1. Metabolic brain disease

Dopaminergic

1. Metabolic brain disease

Gastroprotective

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Neuroprotective

1. Metabolic brain disease

Preparations