Rapid separation of betalains found in petals of Portulaca grandiflora varieties and related species has been accomplished and is to be used in flower color genetics. Four betacyanins, namely betanin, isobetanin, betanidin and isobetanidin were clearly distinguished, while betaxanthins and derivatives detectable by spectrophotometry at 430 nm required more complex procedures for identification. Out of twelve compounds, indicaxanthin, vulgaxanthin I, vulgaxanthin II, miraxanthin, dopaxanthin and betalamic acid were accurately identified. The diversity of glucosidation and the relationship among idividual pigments was briefly discussed.