Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Phemeranthus rhizomatus D.J. Ferguson
(Gila Fameflower)

Family: Montiaceae, formerly Portulacaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Phemeranthus brevifolius of NM authors

Phemeranthus rhizomatus has a striking purple flower and leaves that are terete (round in cross section.) Unlike the genus Portulaca in which the capsules open in a circumcissile fashion, the capsules in P. rhizomatus open by valves peeling down from the apex. The branches and inflorescence are glabrous, and it is a rhizomatous perennial. It is found at lower elevation on rocky slopes in the Gila.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Phemeranthus rhizomatus, photo Rod Rees, Hell's Half Acre, October 1, 2011



Phemeranthus rhizomatus, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019



Phemeranthus rhizomatus, closeup of branch with bud, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019



Phemeranthus rhizomatus, perennial root/caudex, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019



Phemeranthus rhizomatus, closeup of capsule, photo Russ Kleinman, Hell's Half Acre, October 13, 2019


Back to the Index