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Papaveraceae
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Rest, peace, sleep, golden warmth.
- Family
- Papaveraceae
- Genus
- Eschscholzia
- Native to
- Western United States, Northern Mexico
- Bloom season
- Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- herbaceous perennial (often grown as annual)
- Height
- 20–60 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-drained, sandy, lean
- Water
- Low
- Hardiness
- 6–10
- Lifespan
- Perennial in mild climates
Did you know
- The California poppy is the state flower of California — California Poppy Day is celebrated on April 6, and Poppy Week runs May 13–18.
- Spanish explorers called California 'Tierra del Fuego' (Land of Fire) because of the brilliant orange poppy fields visible from offshore ships.
- California poppies close at night and on cloudy days, reopening when the sun returns.
- Despite being a true poppy (Papaveraceae), California poppies do not contain opium — they have mild sedative properties used in traditional Native American medicine.
- The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve hosts breathtaking superblooms most years, drawing visitors from around the world.