WILD PORTULACA.
Calandrinia caulescens, HBK.; var. Menziesii, Gray. Purslane Family.
Decumbent, branching herbs, mostly smooth. Leaves.—Alternate; linear to oblanceolate; one to three inches long. Flowers.—In loose racemes; rose-color or magenta; about an inch across. Sepals.—Two; keeled. Petals.—Mostly five. Stamens.—Four to eleven. Ovary.—One-celled. Style slender. Stigma three-cleft. Seeds black, shining, lens-shaped. Hab.—From Lower California to Vancouver Island.
The wild portulaca is very abundant, and in seasons favorable to its development is a very noticeable little plant. Its succulent stems have a spreading habit and bear many satiny flowers of a deep purplish-pink, which open in the bright sunshine. The petals, which are veined with a slightly darker color, become white toward the center, and the little anthers are full of orange-colored pollen. These blossoms have a delicate, somewhat musky perfume.
Cattle are fond of the herbage, and the plants are considered excellent as potherbs and for salads. The seeds, which are a favorite food of the wild dove are very pretty, being lens-shaped, black and shining, with a granular surface.