Red-maids

Description

Calandrinia ciliata is a species of flowering plant known as fringed redmaids and red-maids. While formerly included in the purslane family, it is now treated as a member of the family Montiaceae. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico, where it is widespread and common. It can also be found in parts of Central and South America. Calandrinia ciliata is an annual herb which varies greatly in size from a small patch a few centimeters wide to an erect form approaching 40 cm (16 in) tall. The linear or lance-shaped leaves are 1 to 10 cm (0.39 to 3.94 in) long and slightly succulent in texture. The inflorescence is a raceme bearing flowers on short pedicels. The flower has usually five deep pink to red petals, each up to 1.4 cm (0.55 in) in length. There are two sepals at the base beneath the petals. This is a hardy plant well adapted to many habitat and climate types. Where it is an introduced species, it is known as a minor weed. Calandrinia are a large genus of flowering plants known as purslanes and redmaids. It includes over 100 species of annual and perennial herbs which bear colorful flowers in shades of red to purple and white. Plants of this genus are native to Australia, western South America, Central America, and western North America. Some species have been introduced to parts of New Zealand, southern Africa, Asia, and Europe. Species in the genus Calandrinia are annual or perennial herbaceous plants with a sprawling or erect habit. The leaves are mostly basal and may be either alternate or opposite in arrangement. Flowers are produced in cymes. Each flower produces between four and eleven petals, though often five. Flowers may be white, purple, pink, red, or yellow. The genus Calandrinia was erected in 1823 by German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth. It was named for Jean Louis Calandrini (1703–1758), a Genevan botanist. The genus is classified in the family Montiaceae. It was previously placed in the purslane family, Portulacaceae.