Trianthema portulacastrum

• Botanical Name : Trianthema portulacastrum L.
• Synonyms : Trianthema monogyna L.
• Common Name : Satodo, Desert Horse Purslane, Giant Pigweed, Horse-Purslane
• Plant Family : Aizoaceae
• Plant Form : Herb
• Occurrence (Sectors) : 1, 2, 4, 10, 22, 26-30
• Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Sarita Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra, Aranya Van

About Trianthema portulacastrum Plant :

• Habit : A prostrate, somewhat succulent herb.
• Leaves : Fleshy, sub-opposite, rather unequal in size, broadly obovate, rounded at the apex, cuneate at the base, petioles enlarged at the base to form a pouch in which flowers may be almost completely enclosed.
• Inflorescence : Solitary axillary.
• Flowers : Sessile, white or pink in colour, stamens 10-20.
• Fruits :
  • Truncate, nearly concealed by the petiolar pouch, style one.
  • Seeds 3-5.
• Flowering and Fruiting time : May - November
• Significance : The powdered root is employed as a cathartic.