California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica

About the Plant

Though native only to the Pacific coast states and the desert southwest, California poppy is found in "wildflower" mixes sold throughout the country. The bright yellow to orange flowers add a joyous spring note to landscapes and natural areas alike when rains the previous autumn and winter are plentiful.

Photo taken at Catalina State Park, March 21, 2019

In the desert southwest, this plant is also known as Mexican poppy, and the desert variety was once considered a separate species. The whole situation is confused (including some plants growing as perennials, others as annuals), as indicated in this statement found in Flora of North America:

"This species is highly variable (more than 90 infraspecific taxa [editor’s note: that is, subspecies and varieties within Eschscholzia californica] have been described), not only among different plants and locations but also within individual plants over the course of the growing season, especially in petal size and color."

Spread seeds of California poppy in fall as you do other desert wildflowers. Plants will reseed if rains are favorable, but populations may die out in a few years, especially in suburban (not natural) areas. Desert populations are more likely than coastal areas to contain annuals rather than perennials.

Notes:

  • California poppy became the state flower of California in 1903.
  • There is some evidence California poppy is poisonous at least to some livestock. Use care if children investigate the showy flowers.

Wildlife value: attracts beetles and bees; may be host plant for several small butterflies and moths in its native range.

More Information

Map of distribution in US (lime green color indicates counties in which plant is native)

Information from US Forest Service

California poppy Plant Guide from USDA

Technical botanical description from SEINet

 

ID Characteristics

This plant is in the Papaveraceae - the poppy family.
California poppies grow and bloom in spring, dependent on temperature and rainfall. Though references list this species as growing to 3 feet, you'll most likely find it reaching only 12-18 inches.
The leaves of California poppy are basal (growing out of the ground without a stem) and are highly dissected with rounded lobes. They often have a bluish coloration.
Each flower stalk holds only one flower. The bud is made of two green sepals. As the petals inside start to expand, the sepals are pushed upward and off the flower (see 3rd photo in right column here).
Each flower is about 3 inches wide. There are 4 petals, ranging in color from yellow to golden orange, often with darker coloration at the base of the petals. The flowers close at night and will remain closed on cold or cloudy days.
The petals are often described as silky. At their point of attachment to the flower stalk there is often a collar-like rim, sometimes minimal, sometimes enlarged with red coloration.
The fruit is narrow and elongated, sometimes as long as 3.5 inches. In the photo above, the collar-like rim is clearly visible at the base of the fruit. When mature, the fruit breaks open explosively, expelling the seeds up to 6 feet from the mother plant.