Eschscholzia californica (California poppy)

General

Annual to perennial forb that is low-spreading to erect, 6 inches to 2 feet tall.

Leaves

Generally blue-green in color with three finely divided lobes.

Flowers

Four bright orange to light yellow petals on upright, freely branching stem. May also have distinct, darker orange centers. Flowers respond phototropically to low light levels, closing at night and on cloudy days.

Bloom

March through October.

Ecology

Found in open or disturbed grassy areas to 7,000 feet.

Pollinators

Attracts bumble bees, sweat bees, mining bees and butterflies. Oregon Bee Atlas participants have documented hundreds of native bees visiting California poppy including many small carpenter bees and sweat bees.

References

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