Common name:
Red maids
Family:
Scientific name:
Calandrinia ciliata
Main flower color:
Range:
South Arizona, and the three Pacific states
Height:
Up to 16 inches (stem length - often prostrate)
Habitat:
Sandy places, grassland, fields, slopes, from near sea level to 5,000 feet
Leaves:
Linear to narrowly oblanceolate, with ciliate margins; up to 4 inches long and half an inch wide
Season:
February to April
Flowers of calandrinia ciliata are small, perhaps easy to overlook individually, but plants are noticeable when in bloom as they generally grow in clusters. Stems can be held upright or at an angle but tend to stay close to the ground. The leaves usually have ciliate margins, and they are most numerous around the base of the stems.
Flowers are formed of five (less often three or seven) petals - bright pink, white towards the base and about half an inch in length, three stigmas, and between three and 15 stamens, topped by yellow anthers. Underneath are two overlapping sepals. Occasionally the petals are all-white.
Flowers are formed of five (less often three or seven) petals - bright pink, white towards the base and about half an inch in length, three stigmas, and between three and 15 stamens, topped by yellow anthers. Underneath are two overlapping sepals. Occasionally the petals are all-white.
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