Fringed Red Maids

Calandrinia ciliata var. menziesii

A common early-blooming annual in valley grasslands, the edges of oak woodlands and low hills with shallow soil.  It is often abundant following fire.  The seeds of this plant had important religious significance to the Chumash Indians.  Some California tribes harvested the seeds for the rich meal which they pressed into cakes for eating.  Occasionally white-petaled forms are found.

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