1. Fringed Red Maids – Calandrinia ciliata
(cal-an-DREE-ee-uh sill-ee-AY-tuh)
Family: Portaculaceae (Rush Family)
Much of California w. of the Sierras; open grassy places and cultivated fields, open
forests and near desert edge on sandy, rocky or loamy soils.
Native to:
Growth characteristics: herbaceous annual wildflower mature height:1-2 ft. mature width:1-2 ft.
Low, spreading annual with narrow, fleshy leaves and stems.
other conditions. Foliage color is light green to blue-green.
Spring bloomer (Mar-May).
veins, along the stems. Showy when massed.
Blooms/fruits:
Height depends on soil, water and
Flowers are small (< ½ in.), rose-red with darker
Flowers only open when the sun is shining.
Uses in the garden: Often used in mixed beds with other native annuals and perennials. Makes a
nice addition to the vegetable garden. Wonderful in pots, mixed with annuals, native bulbs/corms.
Young foliage makes a zesty addition to spring salads. Use in moderation or cook as boiled greens
to remove some of the oxalic acid. Seeds can be parched and eaten as pinole.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native salad greens and pink wildflowers.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: birds, small mammals & insects all eat the seeds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun.
Light to medium well-drained soils; sandy soils probably optimal.
Needs good winter/spring moisture – rains often sufficient. No watering after
flowering is complete.
None.
Easy to grow. Sprinkle seeds on prepared ground/in pots in late fall/winter. Rack
in (barely cover). Will reseed on bare ground.
Management:
Propagation: from seed:
see above
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 2, 5, 10
11/25/10
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