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California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
37.4488, -122.265
Field Notes
Description:
The California Poppy is the official state flower of California. Its flowers have four petals ranging from a yellow to orange color with a shine when looked at beneath the sunlight. The flowers have radial symmetry and its leaves are divided into round lobed segments. The petals can close at night if the weather is cold or windy, and they will open the following day if weather improves. The California Poppy is pollinated by beetles, although an introduced European honey bee also plays a role now. The fruit is a thin, dehiscent capsule, which splits open to release small black seeds.
Habitat:
Its native habitat includes California, extending to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora and northwest Baja California. It grows in grasslands, woodland, sandy, open and desert areas.
Notes:
The California Poppy was discovered by Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz in the 1810's and it was the first named member of the genus Eschscholzia, which was named after him. They travelled on their scientific expedition aboard a Russian ship named "Rurik". California poppy leaves were also used medicinally by Native Americans for mild sedative effects. The effect is far milder than that of opium.
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