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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
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Synonyms
Eschscholzia californica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. [PFAF]
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.[PFAF]
General Perennial herb.[IFBC][E-flora] Hairless [WildPNW]
Flowers "Flowers usually solitary. atop long stalks;" [WildPNW] saucer-shaped flowers[IFBC][E-flora] Yellow or deep orange, or rarely white. [HNW] Shiny. [PSW]
Fruits Capsules. Seeds; "strongly ridged in a net-veined pattern".[IFBC][E-flora]
Leaves "Basal leaves blue-green, blades triangular, 3-times divided in threes".[IFBC][E-flora]
Stem Erect or sometimes spreading.[HNW]
Root A single [WildPNW] deep taproot.[IFBC][E-flora]
Properties The whole plant is bitter and cooling.[Tilgner HMHE]
Habitat "Dry roadsides, rock outcrops and waste places".[IFBC] [E-flora] Fields. [PSW]
Range "Infrequent on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and adjacent mainland"[IFBC] [E-flora] "Western N. America - Washington to California and Nevada. A frequent garden escape in Britain." [PFAF] "Its native habitat includes California, extending to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora and northwest Baja California.[2]" "...widely naturalized in Australia, and was introduced to South Africa, Chile, and Argentina." [Wiki]
Status Exotic.[IFBC][E-flora]
Notes "A highly variable species."[HNW]
Dosages: "1 tsp dry root and/or herb/cup water 2-3 x/day; 30-40 drops tincture 2-3 x/day (WAF)" [HMH Duke] "Infusion: (Whole plant) 1-2 teaspoons per cup of water; or 1: 1 fresh liquid extract: 20-60 drops 1-4 times per day." [Tilgner HMHE]
"Unlike opioids or even the stronger acting Poppy species, Rudolf Weiss states that the effect of California Poppy is towards “…establishing equilibrium,” and is not at all narcotic (1988, 289)." [Todd] Another report says that it causes "A mild marijuana-like high that lasts for about a half hour. It is not related to the opium poppy, but apparently does contain several psychoactive alkaloids." [EHMEFD]
Dosage: "One joint per day — smoking more does not seem to extend or intensify the high. The leaves and petals are dried and rolled into joints." [EHMEFD]
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Alkaloids
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Alkaloids
Other Chemicals
Nutritional
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ppm = parts per million; tr = trace [DukePhyt] All the above phytochemical information except chemical types are from [Dukephyt] | |
"Prefers a poor sandy soil and a sunny position[108, 200] but is easily grown in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Plants grow well in maritime climates[200]. A very ornamental plant, it is commonly grown in the flower garden and there are many named varieties[200]. This plant is the state flower of California[207]. Although a perennial it is usually quite short-lived and is more often grown as an annual in this country[187, 238]. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c, however, and often survives mild winters[187]. If the dead flowers are removed before they set seed the plant will continue flowering for a longer period[188]. A polymorphic species[71]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be sown in situ[200]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. They close during wet or overcast weather[238]. Plants often self-sow if the soil is disturbed by some means such as hoeing[200]." [PFAF]
"Seed - sow in mid spring or late summer to early autumn in a sunny border outdoors and only just cover the seed[200]. Autumn sown plants may require protection from frosts in cold winters[200]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks." [PFAF]
Papaveracea - Poppy Family
Annual, perennial herb; sap colorless or orange.
Leaf: basal or basal and cauline, 1–4-pinnate-dissected, segments narrow.
Inflorescence: cyme, 1–many-flowered.
Flower: receptacle funnel-shaped, tip cupped around ovary base, outer receptacle rim occasionally spreading; sepals 2, fused, shed as unit at flower; petals generally 4 (except doubled flowers), free, obovate or wedge-shaped, generally yellow to orange (white or pink), shed after flower leaving crown-like membrane (inner receptacle rim); stamens 12–many, free; carpels 2, style 0, stigma lobes 4–8, spreading, linear.
Fruit: oblong, dehiscent from base.
Seed: many, 1–2 mm, round to ovate, net-ridged, prominent-discontinuous-ridged, or minutely pitted, tan, brown, or black.
12 species: western North America. (J.F.G. von Eschscholtz, Russian surgeon, botanist, 1793–1831)[Jepson]
Eschscholzia sp., California Poppy ·
Eschscholzia parishii (Parish's Goldenpoppy)