Portulaca californica is one of five species in the genus distributed on the Baja California peninsula and is endemic to the state of Baja California Sur. Little is known about its distribution and biology. We studied the species in the field and herbarium to improve upon the limited knowledge. It is a perennial plant with stems prostrate to decumbent, leaves imbricate in young individuals and at branch tips in mature plants, flowers magenta, the lid of the capsule campanulate, and seeds shiny grey. The species is distributed along both coasts of the southern part of the peninsula, where accelerated development for tourism is a threat to the survival of the species.
