Talinum brevifolium Torrey in L. Sitgreaves, Rep. Exped. Zuni Colorado Rivers, 156. 1853; T. brachypodum S. Watson

Plants sometimes mat-forming, to 0.6 dm; roots elongate, woody. Stems spreading-ascending, branching, sometimes suf-frutescent. Leaves sessile; blade subterete, to 1.5 cm. Inflorescences cymulose or often only 1-flowered, usually slightly overtopping leaves; peduncle not scapelike, sometimes rudimentary, to 0.3 cm. Flowers: sepals deciduous, oval to orbiculate, to 4 mm; petals rose, lavender, or rarely white, obovate, to 10 mm; stamens 20-25; stigmas 3, sublinear. Capsules subglobose to ellipsoid, 3.5-4 mm. Seeds without arcuate ridges, 1 mm.

Flowering Jun-Oct. Dry, rocky slopes and ledges in sand pockets; 1500-2200 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Utah.

Reports of Phemeranthus brevifolius from western Texas and southern New Mexico, where it does not actually occur, apparently have been based on misidentified specimens of P. brevicaulis.