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California poppy
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California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameCalifornia poppy
DescriptionCheerful native wildflower featuring silky, satin-textured blooms in brilliant shades of orange, yellow, cream, and red atop delicate blue-green fern-like foliage. Flowers open in sunlight and close at night or on cloudy days, creating a dynamic display throughout the blooming season. California's beloved state flower, prized for drought tolerance, self-seeding habit, and effortless beauty in wildflower meadows, xeriscapes, and cottage gardens.
FamilyPapaveraceae
GenusEschscholzia

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K2 C4 A∞ G(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 2 free sepals that fall as flower opens (caducous), 4 free petals (sometimes more in cultivars), numerous free stamens, 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features
  • Named 'Eschscholzia' after German botanist Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz who discovered it in California in 1810s. Designated California's official state flower in 1903. 'Cup of Gold' refers to the golden, cup-shaped blooms
  • Flowers 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) across with 4 silky, satiny petals (occasionally 5-12 in cultivated varieties). Classic form is brilliant orange with yellow center, but cultivars range from pale cream to deep red. Two sepals form pointed cap that pops off as flower opens
  • Annual or short-lived perennial that blooms from early spring through summer (February-September in native range). Flowers open with morning sun, close at night and on overcast days. Self-seeds prolifically, naturalizing in meadows and disturbed sites
  • Grows 6-24 inches (15-60 cm) tall with 6-12 inch (15-30 cm) spread. Lifespan of one growing season (annual) but perpetuates through self-seeding. Propagated from seed sown directly in fall or early spring (germinates in 10-15 days)
  • Native to western North America from southern Washington and Oregon through California to Baja California, east to Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Found in grasslands, coastal bluffs, valleys, and foothills below 6,500 feet elevation
  • Thrives in full sun requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Extremely drought tolerant, preferring dry conditions once established. Grows in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Dislikes rich soil or overwatering. Heat tolerant
  • Excellent for wildflower meadows, xeriscapes, and water-wise gardens. Attracts bees and beneficial insects. Deer and rabbit resistant. Used traditionally as mild sedative and pain reliever (contains alkaloids). Edible leaves used in salads. Reseeds readily, can spread vigorously

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificEschscholzia californica
English (Alternate)Golden poppy, Cup of Gold, California sunlight, Mexican poppy
Hindiकैलिफ़ोर्निया पॉपी (California poppy), खसखस (khus khus) or पोस्ता (posta)
Tamilகலிபோர்னியா கசகசா (Kalifoornia kasakasa),பொன் நிற கசகசா (Pon Nir Kasakasa), கலிபோர்னியா தங்க மலர் (Kalifoornia thangamalar),
Teluguగసగసాలు (gasagasalu)
Malayalamപൊൻതാരകം(Pontharakam)
Kannadaಕನ್ನೆರ (kanneru)
Sanskritस्वर्णपोस्ता(Swarnaposhta), स्वर्णपोस्ता (Eschscholzia californica)
Bengaliপপি ফুল (papi phul)
Frenchcoquelicot
Russianкалифорнийский мак (kaliforniyskiy mak)
SpanishAmapola de California, Amapola dorada
GermanEschscholzia californica, Goldmohn

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.