Plants of
South Australia
Calandrinia volubilis
Montiaceae
Twining Purslane
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Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
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Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 2

Prior names

Parakeelya volubilis

Common names

Twining Purslane

Etymology

Calandrinia named after Jean-Louis Calandrini (1703-1758), a Swiss scientist, professor of mathematics and philosophy. Volubilis from Latin meaning to turn, revolve or twine, alluding to the species twining habit.

Distribution and status

Found in the eastern central part of South Australia, growing in Atriplex vesicaria shrublands. Also found in New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Rare in South Australia. Uncommon in the other states.
Herbarium regions: Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Murray, Southern Lofty, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Spreading to erect annual herb with thickened tap root and twining flowering stems to 30 cm long. Leaves mostly basal with very few on lower parts of flower stems; sessile, lanceolate to oblanceolate to 5.5 cm long and 1 cm wide, fat and fleshy. Inflorescence loose panicles on long twining stem with pale pink flowers. Flowering between September and October. Fruits are red-brown narrow-ovoid capsule to 7.5 mm long with 3-valves and about twice as long as the sepals. Seeds are dark red-brown reniform-ovoid seed to 0.7 mm long and 0.6 mm wide with distinctive tuberculate surface. Seed embryo type is peripheral.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between October and December. Collect mature capsules, those that are turning a red-brown colour and contain dark seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for one to two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. Seed viability is usually high.

We acknowledge the contributions of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre, the Botanic Gardens of South Australia, and the Department for Environment and Water.