# California poppy (*Eschscholzia californica*) The California poppy is a bright orange flower that blooms in sunny places. It is the state flower of California and opens up during the day, closing at night. These flowers are beautiful and can grow in many different areas! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 94 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** California Golden Poppy ![California poppy](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424419/objects/85.jpg) ## Appearance The California poppy has vibrant, cup-shaped flowers, typically bright orange or golden yellow, with a silky texture. Its delicate, feathery blue-green leaves create a soft contrast. It's distinct for its often crinkled petals and solitary blooms. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ranunculales - **Family:** Papaveraceae - **Genus:** Eschscholzia ## Interesting facts - Its petals feel like silk, making the flower soft and delightful to touch! - Native Americans used parts of this plant for food and even medicine! - Some poppies can bloom for months, painting the landscape with bright colors! - This beautiful flower is the official state flower of California! ## Special abilities - **Drought Survivor:** California poppy can thrive in dry places, thanks to its deep taproot that helps it find water underground. - **Seed Flinger:** California poppy has exploding seed pods that fling seeds far away, helping new plants grow in many spots. - **Petal Protector:** California poppy can close its petals at night or on cloudy days, protecting its pollen and saving energy. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-60 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 3-8 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring-Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Bees visit its bright flowers to collect pollen and nectar. - **Pollinates:** [Monarch butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Monarch butterflies are attracted to its vibrant colors. - **Eaten by:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Deer might browse the leaves, especially new growth. - **Eaten by:** [Desert Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus audubonii*) — Rabbits occasionally munch on its tender leaves. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low While California poppies are pretty, it's best to look and not touch them in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California poppy? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is California poppy? 15-60 cm ### How wide does California poppy spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on California poppy? 3-8 cm ### When does California poppy bloom? Spring-Summer ### Is California poppy edible? Yes ### Is California poppy toxic? None ### What is California poppy's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/antelope-valley-california-poppy-reserve-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-diamond-mines-regional-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Bloedel Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloedel-reserve) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/childs-irving-hydroelectric-facilities) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see California poppy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-poppy) ## Watch - [Play video: California poppy](https://www.snappit.app/videos/california-poppy) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=dkz5Yh-9r8g) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [California poppy: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-poppy)