Four petals, numerous stamens, single pistil, superior ovary. Petals grade from orange to yellow. Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. (cultivated). 5-22-10. © Joan Avise. |
California Poppy Eschscholzia californica The California state
flower. It is an annual fire-follower occurring widely on dry slopes in many
plant communties. At maturity the long slender fruit splits with a pop from the apex down, flinging the seed some distance. The plant This species has become an exotic pest in parts of Chile and Australia! Back to Papaveraceae of Orange County, California |
8-24 in. tall; torus or ring with spreading rim at flower base. James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, CA. 4-24-10. © Joan Avise. |
James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Beach, CA. 4-24-10. © Joan Avise. |
Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, Modjeska Canyon, Orange Co., CA. (cultivated). 5-7-06. © Joan Avise. |
Unknown larva (plant is toxic to most insects). Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Orange Co., CA. 3-28-10. © Joan Avise. |
Leaves cleft in many segments; often bluish. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve, Riverside Co., CA. 3-01-09. © Joan Avise. |
Thw two sepals form a conical cap that falls off intact, allowing the petals to open. There is a conspicuous collar-like ring (torus) beneath the petals and sepals. University Hills, Irvine, CA. (cultivated) 1-28-08. © Joan Avise. |
Along roadsides or close to urban areas, plants with larger deeper orange flowers can be seen, probably originating from seed mixes. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Orange Co., CA. 3-28-10. © Joan Avise. |
Plant with large deep orange petals, probably from non-local seed. Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Orange Co., CA. 3-28-10. © Joan Avise. |
Near Lake Elizabeth, Los Angeles County, CA. 4/20/2014. © Peter J. Bryant |
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With Tansy phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Near Lake Elizabeth, Los Angeles County, CA. 4/20/2014. © Peter J. Bryant |
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With Tansy phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Near Lake Elizabeth, Los Angeles County, CA. 4/20/2014. © Peter J. Bryant |
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Near Lake Elizabeth, Los Angeles County, CA. 4/20/2014. © Peter J. Bryant |
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With Tansy phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Near Lake Elizabeth, Los Angeles County, CA. 4/20/2014. © Peter J. Bryant |
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With Tansy phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Near Lake Elizabeth, Los Angeles County, CA. 4/20/2014. © Peter J. Bryant |
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Early Spaniards in California called the flowers “Dormidera” (to fall asleep), because the flowers close in the evening and sometimes during cloudy or foggy days. Near Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, CA. 2/28/2019. © Peter J. Bryant |