Talinum aurantiacum Engelm.

Sometimes placed in Phemeranthus, but apparently this is one of the few southwestern Talinum that should remain in that genus. Found at relatively moist or rocky sites in desert scrub from southeastern Arizona to western Texas. I have found it to be relatively common but quite inconspicuous as the flowers are open only briefly, and it is easily overlooked when they are not.

Plant habit near the Paquime Museum at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, 9 Sep 2009. Photographed on a field trip with the American Penstemon Society. This is a relatively narrow-leaved plant; leaf width is variable.

A cauline leaf from a narrow-leaved plant, Casas Grandes, 9 Sep 2009.

A flower on a broader-leaved plant at Casas Grandes, 9 Sep 2009.

Another flower at Casas Grandes, 9 Sep 2009.

Flowering stem of a broad-leaved plant at Casas Grandes, 9 Sep 2009.

Cauline leaf of a broad-leaves plant at Casas Grandes, 9 Sep 2009.

A flower bud, nearly open, at Casas Grandes, 9 Sep 2009.