Escholzia

The Eschscholzia poppy is native to California and Mexico and has many different species of this genus. This is also known as the California poppy and has a long history in the state. On December 12, 1890 California State's Floral Society voted to select this flower as the state flower and of the three nominees which were Eschsholzia californica, the Romneya coulteri, and Calochortus, known as the mariposa lily, the California Poppy won this vote with the others only gaining three votes per flower. According to written records this 1890s vote was just a formality as it had been described in horticulture circles approximately 70 years prior.

This Poppy has won such fame in California that there have even been songs written about it such as Gold Poppies Goodnight by Mary A. Lombard and Leo Bruck. Poppies can also be seen in parks and other localities throughout California as it is their state flower and grows readily in their climate and soil. California is not the only location this flower will grow, it is also native to Mexico and can be grown in other localities in the United States and Canada with a little extra care.

The seeds of this Poppy species should be planted directly into the ground, as it does not do well in pots or having seedlings transplanted these often wither and die. This is also true of all of the Papavier genus.

Out of all the poppy species the California Poppy is one of the best-known next to the Oriental poppy, the opium poppy, and Himalayan poppy also known as the blue poppy.