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Glite Dictionary
Portulacaceae

Portulacaceae

9.9
A family of flowering plants with thick, fleshy leaves that store water
  • noun
  • /ˌpɔr.tʃəˈleɪ.kiˌiː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Portulacáceas
  • Many species in the Portulacaceae thrive in arid environments due to their ability to store water.

Examples

  • The plant's thick, fleshy leaves immediately suggested it belonged to the Portulacaceae.

  • Gardeners often choose members of the Portulacaceae for their resilience and low maintenance.

  • The Portulacaceae family includes many succulent plants.

  • Many species of Portulacaceae thrive in dry climates.

  • Gardeners often choose members of the Portulacaceae for their resilience and low maintenance.

  • Many species in the Portulacaceae thrive in arid environments due to their ability to store water.

  • The plant's thick, fleshy leaves immediately suggested it belonged to the Portulacaceae.

Synonyms

purslane family
vsPortulacaceae
  • Specialized
8.8

A group of small plants with thick leaves that store water and grow in many places, often in the Americas

is the formal botanical name used in scientific contexts

Surface Forms

Portulacaceae singular
Portulacaceas plural

Morphology

Portulacaceae = Portulaca (opaque) = Portulaca + aceae

Formed by adding the specialized Latin botanical family suffix '-aceae' to the genus name 'Portulaca', a taxonomic convention not productive or transparent for average learners.

Etymology

Portulacaceae comes from the garden plant name Portulaca and the botanical ending -aceae, which means 'family'. Portulacas are small, fleshy or succulent herbs that can store water, so Portulacaceae simply names the family of these low-care, water-saving plants.