Red maids (Calandrinia ciliata)
Description
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 belonging to the Montiaceae family. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico, where it is widespread and common. It can also be found in parts of Central and South America. Calandrinia ciliata is an annual herb which varies greatly in size from a small patch a few centimeters wide to an erect form approaching 40 cm (16 in) tall. The linear or lance-shaped leaves are 1 to 10 cm (0.39 to 3.94 in) long and slightly succulent in texture. The inflorescence is a raceme bearing flowers on short pedicels. The flower has usually five deep pink to red petals, each up to 1.4 cm (0.55 in) in length. There are two sepals at the base beneath the petals. This is a hardy plant well adapted to many habitat and climate types. Where it is an introduced species, it is known as a minor weed.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Montiaceae
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Genus: Calandrinia
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