Order 6. =Portulacaceæ= (=Portulacas=). The flowers are regular (except _Montia_), hypogynous (except _Portulaca_) and ☿. The diagram which applies to the majority of genera is that in Fig. 367, but with all the 5 stamens completely developed: it may be considered as the Chenopodiaceous diagram with the addition of 2 _bracteoles_ in the median line (_m-n_, these by some are considered as sepals), and with a petaloid perianth (usually designated “corolla”). The “petals” fall off very quickly, and are sometimes wanting. Most frequently 5 stamens, situated opposite the “petals,” but in other genera the number varies; _Montia_ has only 3 stamens (by suppression of the two anterior and lateral, Fig. 367), others again have more than 5, some a large and indefinite number. This may be explained partly by the appearance of a second whorl of stamens alternating with the first, and partly by the splitting (dédoublement) of the stamens. Gynœceum most frequently tricarpellate, ovary unilocular with 1–several basal ovules (sometimes on a branched placenta, as in certain _Caryophyllaceæ_). The fruit is a _capsule_, more rarely a nut.--The majority are annual herbaceous plants with scattered, entire leaves, often fleshy and smooth, with or without rudimentary stipules (dry, membranous, modified into hairs). Inflorescence cymose. [Illustration: FIG. 367.--_Montia._ Diagram of flower.] _Portulaca_ (Portulaca): flower, epigynous or semi-epigynous; fruit, a pyxidium. The stamens vary in number, and are most frequently placed in groups (in consequence of splitting) opposite the petals.--_Montia_: the corolla is slightly gamopetalous, but cleft on the posterior side (Fig. 367), and as a consequence of the larger size of the lateral petals, slightly zygomorphic; 3 stamens.--_Calandrinia_; _Talinum_; _Anacampseros_; _Claytonia_. 125 species; mostly in warm and temperate countries, especially the arid parts of S. Am. and the Cape. _Montia fontana_ (Blinks) is a native plant. _Portulaca oleracea_ is cultivated as a pot-herb in the south of Europe. A few species of _Portulaca_ and _Calandrinia_ are ornamental plants.