Limestone Fameflower, Rock Pinks (Talinum calcaricum)

Plant Type: This is a succulent, it is a perennial which can reach 15cm in height (6inches).

Leaves: This plant has basal leaves only. Leaves can reach 2.5cm in length (1inches). The leaves are succulent and tubular in shape.

Flowers: The flowers have 5 Regular Parts and are up to 2.5cm wide (1 inches). They are an unusual shade of purple. Blooms first appear in late spring and continue into early fall. Flowers only open in the afternoon.

Habitat: Rocky areas of cedar glades.

Photographic Location. Cedars of Lebanon Forest.

Range: Central Basin of Tennessee.

The species name calcaricum refers to this plant's unusual habitat of limestone areas. This small, attractive flower is rather hard to find both because it is small, rather rare and only blooms in the afternoon. It may occasionally be found in fairly large groups. It was once considered to be T. teretifolium which is found on rocky areas of the Cumberland Plateau. The botanist Stewart Ware described it as a new species in 1967.(Hemmerly)
Similar Species: Rock Portulaca (Talinum teretifolium) is larger, to 30cm (1') high with leaves to 5cm (2") long.

Reference: 2bnTheWild.com