Three species that were originally described under the genus Talinum Adanson (family Talinaceae), are here re-assigned and combined under the genus Phemeranthus Rafinesque (family Montiaceae) to bring them into accordance with related species, and to associate them with the proper family. Sectional categories are also established under the genus Phemeranthus.

Additionally two previously unnamed species are here described. Phemeranthus rhizomatus D.J. Ferguson from New Mexico, USA, and Talinum sonorae D.J. Ferguson from the southwestern USA & western Mexico.