Gold Poppy, California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica subsp. mexicana
Gallery
Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Annual |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Pollinators | Bees, butterflies |
| Has Spines | No |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
3-9"-3-9" |
| Flowering Season | February-May |
| Flower Color | Gold (sometimes white) |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 20 °F |
| Leaf Description | Thin lobed leaves which look like small fans |
| Fruit | Long, thin capsules which dry and split |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Description | Probably the best known desert wildflower. In years with good winter/spring rain, vast carpets of golden blooms cover the desert slopes. In years with low winter/spring rain you will see few of these plants in habitat but can still encourage them in a landscape through irrigation. It is often best to sow seed rather than plant nursery stock when it comes to annuals because you want a large number of plants for maximum effect. Gold poppy reseeds readily, so once it is established in your yard it is fairly reliable year after year. In native vegetation, gold poppy is found in desert habitats across most of southern, central, and western Arizona, and is an appropriate choice for low-mid elevation gardens throughout the state. |
