images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Portulacaceae (purslanes). Portulaca oleracea, P. quadrifida, and P. foliosa are widespread weeds, P. grandiflora is an ornamental in courtyards. Specimens deteriorate quickly. Except when flowering, P. oleracea can be confused with Trianthema portulacastrum (Aizoaceae).
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Nymphaeaceae (true water lilies, compare Menyanthaceae). Nymphaea lotus is the largest species and has distinctive dentate leaf margins. N. maculata and N. micrantha are smaller; N. maculata has roughly circular leaves, while N. micrantha has more oval-shaped leaves and usually a tuft of hairs on top of the leaf next to the stem axis.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of the family Meliaceae. Azadirachta (neem tree) is nonnative but is planted everywhere in Malian villages and cities. Khaya ("caïlcédrat") was formerly the boulevard tree of preference in cities in the colonial period; it is native to West Africa but occurs in the wild mainly farther south.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Onagraceae. The local genus is Ludwigia. L. hyssopifolia and L. erecta are the two species known in Central Mali away from the main rivers (where other spp. are also found).
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Turneraceae. Recently the family Turneraceae including Tricliceras was merged into Passifloraceae in one botanical system, but some botanists reject this. Tricliceras is a weed in villages.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Myrtaceae. Syzygium is the local native species and is featured here. Syzygium is rare in Central Mali but was found on the summit of Gandamiya mountain near Douentza. It is common farther south. The family also includes guava, clove, and eucalyptus.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Verbenaceae. This family has been sharply reduced by the transfer of many genera to Lamiaceae (Vitex, Gmelina, Clerodendrum).
