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Portulaca sclerocarpa

A.Gray (1854)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-CoreEudicot Order: Caryophyllales Family: Portulacaceae Genus: Portulaca

‘ihi [ihi], ‘ihi mākole [ihi makole], po‘e [poe]

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennial herbs.

Stems: Stems prostrate to weakly ascending, up to ca. 2 dm long.

Roots: Taproot fleshy, tuberous, but becoming woody.

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate or opposite. Blades subterete, 8–12 mm long, ca.1.5–2.5 mm wide. Surfaces pale grayish green, linear, sessile, upper ones occasionally involucrate around the flowers, succulent, with a dense tuft of yellowish brown hairs ca. 3–6 mm long in the axil. Margins entire. Sessile. Stipules 2, connate basally.

Flowers: Flowers usually 3–6 in dense, terminal, head-like cymes subtended by dense tufts of hairs 5–8 mm long and a series of involucrate leaves. bracteoles ca. 1.5 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic or rarely slightly irregular, sessile or subsessile. Calyx of 2 sepals; sepals imbricate, persistent, ca. 5 mm long, margins scarious. Corolla of 4–6(–8), white, pink, or pink with a white base, obovate, ca. 10 mm long, distinct or connate at base, imbricate. Stamens ca. 30; filaments usually puberulent; anthers dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary partly inferior, 2–3(–9)-carpellate, soon becoming 1-celled; ovule placentation free-central; ovules numerous; styles 2–9, 8–branched.

Fruit: Capsules membranous; broadly ovoid; 4–4.5 mm long; indurate; the walls 0.18–0.5 mm thick; indehiscent or tardily circumscissile ca. ⅓ from base. Seeds dark reddish brown; glossy; ca. 0.4–0.6 mm long; the surface stellulate–rugulose.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Uncommon; occurring primarily in dry habitats such as subalpine woodland; bare cinders; and near steam vents.

Elevation Range: 1,030–1,630 m.

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • The fruits of Portulaca sclerocarpa are 1/8 inch oval capsules and are filled with dark reddish brown, shiny seeds. The capsules remain closed, even when ripe.
  • To remove the seeds from the capsules, air dry them at room temperature in a bowl or paper bag. Carefully rub the capsules through a strainer with the appropriate size mesh. The seeds should fall through leaving the debris in the strainer.
  • Sow the cleaned seed on the surface of a pre-moistened, sterile, well draining mix. Do not cover the seeds with soil. (Bornhorst 1996; Lilleng-Rosenberger 1998; Wagner 1990)
  • Portulaca sclerocarpa is easy to grow from tip cuttings. Rooting hormones and mist systems are not necessary. Cuttings should be 2 to 5 inches long and the lower leaves should be removed. Sterile potting mix can be used as a rooting medium. The cuttings should be watered daily. They will root in a couple of weeks. (Bornhorst 1996) [Data from Herring, E. C., & Criley, R. A. (2003). The Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Web Site: Developing a Webbased Information Resource. HortTechnology, 13(3), 545-548. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawnprop/]

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

O'ahu Only found in cultivation
Lana'i Endemic
Hawai'i Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: U.S. Expl. Exped., Phan. 1: 141 (1854)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1074 (L, H); Hank Oppenheimer pers. obs./Hobdy 1356 BISH (L†, 1982)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Kim, I. 86037 Hawaii BISH 1986-11-29
2 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18426 Hawaii BISH 1937-12-20
3 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Kim, I. 86025 Hawaii BISH 1986-11-26
4 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. Hawaii BISH 2020-10-13
5 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 243 Hawaii BISH 1911-06-23
6 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. Hawaii BISH 2020-10-13
7 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. Hawaii BISH 2020-10-13
8 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. Hawaii BISH 2020-10-13
9 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry cinder fields. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 11229 Hawaii BISH 1931-12-20
10 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Shigematsu, K. 413 Oahu BISH 1982-08-03
11 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20202013005 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-13
12 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry ohia forest with mixed native trees and a native shrub and mixed grass understory. Growing on large chunk of aa, in small amount of soil. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2102 Hawaii BISH 1976-01-01
13 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry; nearly bare; cinder flats. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18408 Hawaii BISH 1937-12-19
14 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Myoporum-Sophora Shrubland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200929006 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-29
15 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Growing on exposed ledges in thin soil. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 1356 Lanai BISH 1982-04-05
16 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201005001 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-05
17 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201005004 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-05
18 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa pahoehoe lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200928002 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-28
19 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Locally common in open area of fumaroles, formerly Metrosideros forest. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 46059 Hawaii BISH 1965-03-20
20 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry ohia forest with mixed native trees and a native shrub and mixed grass understory. Ground rooted in sm soil pocket in lava, sun. Preserved_Specimen Jacobi, J.D. 1212 Hawaii BISH 1978-08-11
21 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Dodonaea viscosa Shrubland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200929004 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-29
22 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Dodonae viscosa Shrubland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200929005 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-06
23 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Arid ash. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 11342 Hawaii BISH 1929-10-14
24 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201005003 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-05
25 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201006003 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-06
26 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201006001 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-06
27 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Dodonaea viscosa Shrubland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201006004 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-29
28 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Community: Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland Topography: Flat Substrate: Mauna Loa pahoehoe lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. Hawaii BISH 2020-09-29
29 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Dodonaea viscosa Shrubland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200929007 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-29
30 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry nearle bare cinder flats. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18408 Hawaii BISH 1937-12-19
31 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201005002 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-05
32 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry koa-mamane community with an exotic grass and scattered native shrub understory. 2 small plants on large block of aa Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2040 Hawaii BISH 1978-08-01
33 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20201006002 Hawaii BISH 2020-10-06
34 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Dodonaea viscosa Shrubland, Mauna Kea aa lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200929003 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-29
35 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Several plants growing on rock outcropping near summit. Very dry conditions. Associated with Pennisetum setaceum, Dodonaea, Sida, Waltheria, Santalum ellipticum and Lipochaeta. Preserved_Specimen Davis, J. 617 Hawaii BISH 1981-10-08
36 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Very common obviously reproducing itself on almost bare ground warmed and affected by fumes from the numerous steam vents. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 56737 Hawaii BISH 1977-03-22
37 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details On bare volcanic sand or gravel. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 18426 Hawaii BISH 1937-12-20
38 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Flat, Metrosideros polymorpha Woodland, Mauna Loa pahoehoe lava Preserved_Specimen Evans, S.A. 20200928001 Hawaii BISH 2020-09-28
39 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry ohia forest with mixed native trees and a native shrub and mixed grass understory. Ground rooted in sm soil pocket in lava, sun. Preserved_Specimen Jacobi, J.D. 1212 Hawaii BISH 1978-08-11
40 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Dry ohia forest with mixed native trees and a native shrub and mixed grass understory. On large flat-topped aa boulders in sm pockets of detritus in cracks; several am browsed. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 1848 Hawaii BISH 1978-06-17
41 Portulaca sclerocarpa Locality redacted. Contact Bishop Museum Botany Department for details Euphorbia forest. Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 4943 Hawaii BISH 1977-01-06
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