Jewels of Opar: Jewels of Opar
(Talinum paniculatum)
Native to tropical America, this plant can now be found throughout much of the tropics. Jewels of Opar is an erect, herbaceous perennial ground cover or low shrub that can reach a height of 1 m. The leaves are alternate, simple, and succulent. The self-pollinated flowers are small with 5 pink or red/reddish purple petals. They result in round fruiting capsules that are 3-5mm in diameter and that contain many 1 mm wide, black shiny seeds. The roots are swollen and tuberous.