Calandrinia ciliata var. menziesii

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 and Guatemala, where it is widespread and common. It can also be found in western and southern South America, from Venezuela and Colombia through the Andean countries to southern Argentina and Chile. It has been introduced to the Falkland Islands. In the Falkland Islands it is known by the synonym Calandrinia feltonii, and by the common name Felton's flower. It is named after Arthur Felton, a resident of the Falkland Islands, who sent specimens of the plant in 1910 to Swedish botanist Carl Skottsberg. It nearly became extinct in the wild on the islands through overgrazing.

Description

A temperate herb in the Montiaceae family with edible leaves and seeds.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The leaves are eaten raw, and seeds are also consumed.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

North America, USA,

Notes

There are between 50-100 Calandrinia species. It has also been put in the family Portulacaceae.

References (1)

• Bocek, B. R., 1984, Ethnobotany of Costanoan Indians, California, Based on Collections by John P. Harrington. Economic Botany 38(2): 240-255

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