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Plant Informational Database

California Poppy

Eschscholzia californica

Pretty annual that is the state flower of California. There a number of different varieties having flowers ranging from white (pictured at left 'Alba') to orange and red.

Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

Plants are annuals but reseed easily. Flowers bloom throughout spring and summer and are naturally pollinated by beetles in California, but often by bees elsewhere.

Hardiness

The plants are not frost hardy. Will reseed in areas of frost.

Growing Environment

Will grow in a wide range of soils and can survive arid climates and short drought conditions. They do enjoy sandy soils and do best with well draining soil.

Propagation

By seeds.

Uses

Usually planted as an ornamental. Historically, the California poppy was used medicinally, as a sedative (it does not contain the alkaloids found in opium poppies), and to treat toothaches, headaches, and sores. Parts of the plant are edible.

Native Range

Native to North America.

Related Species

Papaveraceae  
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
Horned Poppy
Glaucium flavum
Papaver setigerum
Dwarf Breadseed Poppy
Breadseed Poppy
Papaver somniferum
Papaver somniferum paeonifolium
Flemish Antique Poppy
Papaver sp.
Florist Pod Poppy
Wind Poppy
Stylomecon heterophylla