Ceraria are shrubs with small succulent leaves.
Ceraria namaquensis is a shrubby plant with tiny gray-green ovoid leaves along its stems. It is usually grown grafted on Portulacaria afra.
Ceraria pygmaea is a dwarf caudiciform plant with small rounded gray-green leaveson short stems arising from the caudex. It grows happily on its own roots.

The genus Anacampseros was recently (Rowley, 1994) split into Anacampseros and Avonia from South Africa, and Grahamia from the Americas and Australia. Many plant labels and plant nurseries have not yet caught up with this change, so all these plants may still be seen labelled as Anacampseros.
 
Anacampseros is a genus of dwarf succulent plants with rosettes of rounded or lanceolate, fleshy leaves. The stem may become caudiciform with age. Leaves and stem may be hairy, in some cases with very prominent white filamentous hairs.
The small pink to white flowers typically open for about an hour during the late afternoon, so many people miss their opening and believe that these plants set seed without opening their flowers. However, at the right time of day a window-ledge of Anacamseros can be rewarding. The flowers are self fertile and appear to not hybridise, even in a mixed collection.
 
Avonia (Linnaeus, 1758) is reserved for the species with tiny leaves hidden by papery stipules which form a protective layer along the stems. These bright white scales reflect a proportion of the solar radiation and protect the leaves from the noon-day sun. The small, solitary flowers are greenish-white and produced on the tips of the stems. The roots form a small caudex.
 
Grahamia are from Latin America and Australia. Several species have tuberous roots.
 
Cultivation: Avonia and Anacampseros grow well at moderate to cooler temperatures in partial sun. Bright light enhances leaf colours and makes for a compact plant. They enjoy a gritty free-draining soil with added organic material and low to moderate watering depending on the species. A collection of these plants can be housed in quite a small space.
The choice caudiciform species are prone to taking a sudden dislike to life and should be watered very sparingly. The botanical name commemorates an ancient belief in herbs that restore lost love.

Lewisia   - Bitterroot
named for: Captain Meriwether Lewis 1774-1809

is a semi-succulent genus of around 20 species native to North America, popular with alpine growers for its bright, showy flowers. Species of interest to growers of succulent plants, have tuberous taproots and fleshy leaves. The fleshy roots of some species of Lewisia were valued as a staple food by American Indians. Dried roots were traded for other items.
 
Cultivation: Lewisias like very well-drained, low fertility, acidic to neutral soils in sunny positions in rock gardens, scree beds or containers. With the constant wet of the English Winter (and some Summers) Lewisias are probably best kept in a well-aired cold frame. Air humidity should be low with good air circulation around the crown to prevent attack by fungi. Under such conditions they can be watered freely from below during the growing season, but keep water off the sensitive crown of the plant. Species with a dormant period should be kept drier while out of leaf.

Portulaca - Purslanes is the type genus of the Portulacaceae Family. The Purslanes are mostly weedy plants but Portulaca grandiflora (Moss Rose) is often used for annual summer bedding. Selected cultivars are available in bright pinks and yellow and with double flowers.

Portulacaria is a monotypic African genus. Portulacaria afra (Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush, Porkbush, Spekboom) is a bushy tree with small, oval, fleshy leaves arranged in alternatively opposite pairs on a glossy red-brown stem. The leaves are edible with a sour flavour and can be chewed or added to stews. The foliage is favoured by elephants and tortoises. Masses of small pink, star-shaped flowers are produced in the Spring.
 
In South Africa, Portulacaria afra is used as hedging and can be used for bonsai. Cuttings root and grow easily. They make excellent grafting stock for other members of the Family, especially Ceraria namaquensis. A variegated cultivar is available. As a CAM (Crassualcean Acid Metabolism) plant, Portulacaria afra can absorb large amounts of carbon-dioxide, despite adverse conditions, and has potential to produce biomass for fuel.