Talinum portulacifolium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning several regions within the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented across multiple nations including Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Moving toward the interior, its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it has been identified in the country of Burundi. This distribution pattern highlights the plant's ability to inhabit diverse ecological zones across the tropical belt.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Talinum portulaciifolium is defined by its adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, specifically flourishing within an altitudinal window that spans from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1150 m AMSL. Within this elevational range, the species typically occupies disturbed habitats, open grasslands, or rocky substrates where it can thrive under varying levels of solar exposure. Its ability to colonize these specific altitudes suggests a tolerance for a variety of microclimates, ranging from the warmer, more humid conditions found at lower elevations to the slightly more temperate and potentially more seasonal environments present near its upper elevational limit.

Elevational range max:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Talinum portulaefolium is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, though its growth pattern can exhibit variable tendencies depending on environmental conditions and habitat stability. As a perennial species, it possesses the capacity to persist through multiple growing seasons, often utilizing its fleshy, succulent structures to survive periods of resource scarcity. The plant typically establishes itself through seed dispersal or vegetative propagation, developing a robust root system that supports its creeping or erect growth habit. Throughout its life cycle, it undergoes seasonal vegetative expansion followed by flowering periods, ensuring reproductive continuity across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Talinum portulaefolium is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that can exhibit shrub-like qualities. This plant is a terrestrial species and functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. The stature of the plant varies, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Talinum portulaciifolium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation without the specialized anatomical adaptations seen in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Talinum portulaefolium is primarily driven by the production of small, specialized seeds that facilitate its propagation. The reproductive efficiency of the species is closely linked to its seed characteristics, which exhibit a high degree of uniformity. Based on empirical data, the seed mass of this plant is remarkably consistent, with a calculated mean mass of 0.00064 g. The variation within the seed population is minimal, as evidenced by a maximum seed mass of 0.00067 g and a minimum seed mass of 0.00061 g. This narrow range in weight indicates a highly standardized developmental process during seed maturation, ensuring that the individual units of dispersal maintain a consistent physical profile for successful germination and establishment.

Seed mass max:

0.00067 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00064 g

Seed mass min:

0.00061 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Journal of environmental biology

Root

1. Journal of environmental biology