Armeria maritima californica (thrift, sea thrift, sea pink)

Family: Leadwort

Characteristics
Perennial which grows in low clumps and sends up long stems from which globes of bright pink flowers blossom. In some cases purple, white, or red flowers also occur. Basal mound of tough grass-like leaves. Blooms from late spring through summer.

Area
Coastal bluffs, dunes, beaches, edges of salt marshes.

Anagallis arvensis (scarlet or red pimpernel, red chickweed, poor man's barometer, poor man's weather-glass, shepherd's weather glass, shepherd's clock)

Family: Primrose

Characteristics
A low-growing annual with orange/red flowers with a purple center. Flowers bloom only when the sun shines. Oval leaves grow in opposite pairs. 


Area
Light soils.

Aquilegia formosa truncata (crimson columbine, western columbine)

Description
Buttercup Family. 20 - 80 cm high. Blooms from April to August. Red sepals and yellow petals.

Location 
Prefers moist locations. Chaparral, forests, stream banks.

Other 
Flowers supposedly edible. All other parts of plant, including seeds and roots, contains cyanogenic glycosides which, if ingested, can cause severe gastroenteritis and heart palpitations. Poisonous if eaten as food. (Wikipedia)

Native American Usage
Hanaksiala and Yurok: Flowers sucked by children for the sweet nectar.
Miwok: Early spring greens boiled and eaten.
(Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Food Plants.)