Portulacaceae - Purslane Family
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The Portulacaceae includes around 450 species of leaf succulents, herbs and shrubs in 12 genera including Avonia, Anacampseros, Ceraria, Portulaca and Portulacaria. The latter is often used for summer bedding.
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 leaves. It grows happily on its own roots.
Lewisia is a mostly non-succulent genus, popular with alpine growers for its bright flowers. Lewisia columbiana is a succulent alpine with fleshy leaves and a small caudex.
The Portulacaceae is the closest family to the Cactaceae, and the two families may share a common ancestor.
Cultivation: Avonia and Anacampseros. grow well at moderate to cooler temperatures in partial sun. The pink to white flowers typically open for about an hour period during the late afternoon, so many people miss their opening and believe that these plants set seed without opening their flowers. They enjoy a gritty free-draining soil with added organic material and low to moderate watering depending on the species. Caudiciform species should be watered sparingly.
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Plant Families including Succulent Species 
