Portulaca sclerocarpa of the Portulacaceae (purslane) family, a perennial herb with a fleshy tuberous taproot which becomes woody, has stems up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The stalkless, succulent, grayish-green leaves are almost circular in cross-section, 8 to 21 mm (0.3 to 0.8 in) long, and 1.5 to 2.5 mm (0.06 to 0.1 in) wide. Dense tufts of hairs are located in each leaf axil and underneath the tight clusters of three to six stalkless flowers grouped at the ends of the stems. Sepals are 5 mm (0.2 in) long with membranous edges. Petals are white, pink, or pink with a white base, 10 mm (0.4 in) long, and surround 30 stamens and an 8-branched style. The hardened capsules are 4 to 4.5 mm (0.2 in) long, with walls 0.2 to 0.5 mm (0.01 to 0.02 in) thick, open very late or not at all, and contain glossy, dark reddish-brown seeds 0.4 to 0.6 mm (0.02 in) long.