Kingdom Plantae Family Montiaceae Scientific name Calandrinia ciliata Rank Species | Order Caryophyllales Genus Calandrinia Higher classification Calandrinia | |
 | ||
Similar Calandrinia, ×Calammophila baltica, Cardamine corymbosa, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche hermaphroditica | ||
Calandrinia ciliata is a species of flowering plant formerly included in the purslane family known by the common names fringed redmaids and red-maids. It is now treated as belonging to the 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.
Description
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 centimeters tall. The linear or lance-shaped leaves are one to ten centimeters 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 1.5 centimeters 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's an introduced species, it is known as a minor weed.