Native Plants
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Phemeranthus brevifolius
Phemeranthus brevifolius (Torr.) Hershkovitz
Pygmy Flameflower, Pygmy Fameflower, Pygmy Talinum
Portulacaceae (Purslane Family)
Synonym(s): Talinum brevifolium
USDA Symbol: PHBR16
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A low plant with crowded, narrow, succulent leaves and comparatively large, deep pink flowers in upper leaf axils.
The bright pink flowers seem to sit on the ground, often obscuring the short erect stems. This species is representative of several others, most more open and spindly but all with white to rose flowers. In one, Spiny Talinum (Phemeranthus spinescens), found in central Washington, the midribs persist as spines as the leaves wither and dry.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 inches tall, sometimes mat-forming.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Rose pink to lavender, rarely white.
Distribution
USA: AZ , NM , UTNative Distribution: Southern Utah and northern Arizona east to New Mexico.
Native Habitat: On rocky slopes, especially limestone sites.
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Phemeranthus brevifolius in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Phemeranthus brevifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Phemeranthus brevifolius
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-02Research By: TWC Staff