Canbya

This member of the Papaver family, Canbya is one of the most unusual plants of the species, because of their size and their delicate appearance, which measures approximately 2 inches in height.

This poppy is so unlike any of the other species, because of its size and delicate look at stem and leaves, which are close to the ground, are fleshy in appearance rather than the tall hair filled stems that many of the poppy family has. Their flowers have six pedals and are white in color; it begins to bloom in April through May. These poppies are native to western North America and grow readily in the Mojave Desert. This poppy prefers dry and arid climate and their soil must drain well in order for them to grow and reseed. The Canbya requires a loam type of soil and does not mind a pebble mixture.

The Canbya genus is named after a well-known botanist who was born in 1831 and died in 1904; his name was William Marriott Canby. This is often known as the pygmy poppy, because of its delicate size. The species in this genus are also called the Wind poppy, and the bearclaw poppy.

If planted in the garden the Canbya species because of the size, would only be able to be used as a ground cover and with its delicate appearance in small flowers. This can make the perfect garden border and a spring garden plant if the conditions in the location of the garden are right for them to grow.