Shrubby Purslane or Copper Purslane (Portulaca suffrutescens) is a fairly common late summer wildflower in upland areas around Tucson. A good place to see it is at the Molino Canyon Vista Overlook.

The up to 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide flowers are pale orange to deep copper in color with five, delicate, fan-shaped petals. The flowers open in the morning and close by midday, so unless you catch them early, the flowers will be closed.

Like other members of the Purslane Family (Portulacaceae), Shrubby Purslane plants are fleshy and succulent, but unlike many other purslanes, the stems of Shrubby Purslane are held stiffly erect and do not trail on the ground. The plump, elongated leaves are terete (cylindrical and slightly tapered at both ends). A whorl of usually 6 to 9 leaves can be found below each flower.