Family: Portulacaceae
Common Name: Rock Purslane

Native to South America, California and Australia, these low-growing, halt-hardy annual and perennial succulents are useful for planting in sunny rock gardens and borders. They produce fleshy leaves and short-lived, brilliantly coloured flowers, in various shades of magenta through to rose, over long periods. The flowers are sometimes borne in sprays, and are followed by capsule-shaped fruits.

Species

Not all species are freely available.

C. balonensis, parakeelya, is found in the wild in the arid areas of Australia. An annual, it spreads to over 1 m (3 ft) in diameter and bears masses of pink flowers up to 2.5 cm (1 in) across.

C. burridgei comes from South America and grows to 30 cm (12 in). It has rose or dazzling coppery-red flowers.

C. ciliata, from Peru and Ecuador, is a hairy-leafed annual, with purple through to white flowers. It grows to 30 cm (12 in). Var. menziesi grows to double this size, with rose-red or crimson flowers.

C. grandiflora, from Chile, has paddle-shaped leaves to 20 cm (8 in) and light purple flowers. It grows to 1 m (3 ft).

C. umbellata, from Peru, is a dwarf, trailing perennial to 15 cm (6 in), with crimson blooms. It is the hardiest of the species.

Cultivation

In climates prone to frost, they are grown as annuals for summer display in the garden, or in pots under glass. Outdoors, these succulents like a light, rich, crumbly soil. Propagate from seed sown under glass in early spring. Perennials can be increased from stem cuttings in summer.

Climate

Zones 9 or 10.