Talinum is a genus of around 50 species of herbaceous succulent plants in the family Talinaceae (formerly in the family Portulacaceae) whose common names include fameflower and flameflower. Several species bear edible leaves and roots. The genus is distributed along dry areas of tropical and subtropical Africa, North America and Central America. The smooth, often succulent, leaves and their showy, cup- or saucer-shaped flowers make them nice additions to the rock garden. Grow them in well-drained soil of poor to moderate fertility in full sun. Indoors, use a cactus potting mix and grow in full light with good ventilation.

Talinum caffrum is a somewhat succulent, annual, decumbent or prostrate, much-branched stems up to 40cm tall from a deeply buried tuber. The plant is harvested from the wild as a local source of food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in specialist collections of caudiciform plants. Medicinally root infusions are taken for nervousness. Ground root preparations are also used for washing by Xhosa women in the Eastern Cape and Transkei. The roots and leaves are also used to make soap. It prefers a sunny position and requires a well-drained soil, but likes plenty of moisture during the growing season.