Distribution and origins of members of the Family Portulacaceae (Centrospermae)

Abstract

The present day distribution of members of the family Portulacaceae shows that whilst some genera such as Portulaca L., and to some extent Montia L. and Talinum Adanson are cosmopolitan in distribution, others such as Ceraria Pearson and Stephens, Lyallia Hooker fil., Portulacaria Jacquin, Silvaea Philippi and Talinella Baillon with more than six species at the most are endemic to Africa, Australia, Eurasia and South America respectively. This pattern of distribution shows that members of the family Portulacaceae could have originated in Gondwanaland and migrated to new niches by long range dispersal after the breakup of Gondwanaland by continental drift.


Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 8 (2) 2004: 59-62