Wandering Lizard

Western Wildflowers

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

California Poppy (Escholzin californica) is a member of the Poppy Family (Papaveraceae). It grows throughout the western part of the United States in open grassy well-drained areas where it receives full sun. It is drought tolerant. Flowers close at night and open in the morning. On foggy days along the coast some flowers will only open half way and some will remain closed. There are a number of variations in color ranging from redish orange to pale yellow. It was named for Johann Friederich von Eschscholtz, a German botanist interested in California flora in the early nineteenth century. It is the California state flower.