Calandrinia ciliata

Almost prostrate, spreading annual to 1' tall. The brilliant magenta to rose-red flowers and thick, smooth glossy green leaves dot meadows, open areas of mostly woodland and grassland habitats, and various grassy spots along the California coast. Add them to your landscape (or your salad: the leaves are edible!) in any small annual area of a perennial native garden. The dainty flowers are 1" in diameter and are open mostly in the afternoon. They show early from February through May. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. An essential part of the ecology of California grasslands Redmaid seeds and greens were an important food source for many tribes in California including those whose territory neighbored the Salinan. Found in open grassy places and cultivated fields. Communitites located in Yellow Pine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland, Wetland-riparian Pine Forest Between 0 and 6000 feet.