Scientific Name
Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaertn.
Common Names
Jewels of Opar, Fame Flower, Pink Baby's Breath
Synonyms
Portulaca paniculata, Calandrinia andrewskii, Claytonia patens, Helianthemoides patens, Portulaca patens, Portulaca reflexa, Ruelingia patens, Talinum chrysanthum, Talinum dichotomum, Talinum moritziana, Talinum patens, Talinum purpureum, Talinum reflexum, Talinum roseum, Talinum sarmentosum, Talinum spathulatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Talinaceae
Genus: Talinum
Description
Talinum paniculatum is a succulent plant related to Portulaca but has fleshy green leaves and delicate wiry flower stalks. It produces erect, up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall, mainly unbranched stems from a tuberous rootstock. The stems sometimes become softly woody. Flowers are hot pink and followed by carmine-colored seed pods that are showier than the flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 10b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Jewels of Opar prefers a full sun location but can tolerate a small amount of shade for part of the day. It does well in hot, dry areas but benefits from some watering. It can be drought-tolerant for several weeks at a time. It does best in sandy and well-drained soils and is tolerant of poor soils and heat. Excellent for rock gardens and hot areas where not too much else grows.
The lime green leaves brighten up any garden, and it makes a wonderful border plant or addition to any flower garden. Will reseed itself once established, just thin out the seedlings or transplant to where you want them. If reseeding is undesirable, deadhead as seeds form. Sadly seeds usually form on the same stalks that are still flowering, so this is often hard to do.
It grows well as a pot plant and is excellent on hot sunny decks where the lime green leaves provide an appearance of coolness.
See more at Growing Tips and Uses for Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum).
Origin
Talinum paniculatum is native to the southern United States, much of Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Links
- Back to genus Talinum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
