The California poppy, also known as the golden poppy, is the state flower of California. It is native to California and Mexico but has been found growing wild in other countries. It prefers desert habitats and is used for medicinal purposes by native peoples and modern herbalists.
California’s state flower is the California poppy, also known as the golden poppy because it is usually bright yellow or reddish in color. Scientifically known as Eschscholzia Californica, this poppy is native to California and Mexico, but has been known to greatly exceed its native range and has even been found growing wild in other countries, including France and Chile. The golden poppy has officially been designated as the state flower of California in 1903. It is celebrated with an annual state holiday, California Poppy Day, on April 6, and with Poppy Week, held annually from May 13 to 18. The seeds, roots and leaves of the California state flower are believed to have sub-opiate properties and have traditionally been used by native peoples to treat insomnia and relieve pain.
The poppy species native to California appears to prefer desert habitats. As garden plants, they are considered suitable for rocky or sandy soils. California’s state flower is also common in desert regions of Nevada, the Baja Peninsula, southern Washington state, and New Mexico. They are known to thrive at relatively high altitudes of up to 6561.7 feet (2,000 meters). They typically grow to between 7.9 and 23.6 inches (20 to 60 centimeters) tall. The flowers are typically bright yellow, orange, or reddish in color and can reach 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) wide.
The golden poppy belongs to the poppy family, Papaverales, which is part of the subclass Magnoliidae. As a species, the California poppy is considered so ancient that the course of its genetic evolution may not be precisely determined. Many botanists consider these poppies to be among the last survivors of a prehistoric group of flowering plants that are now largely extinct.
The Native Americans of the region are believed to have relied on the medicinal properties of the California poppy for pain relieving and sedative purposes. Native peoples are believed to have created brews from the boiled stems, leaves, and roots of the plant. Modern herbalists believe California poppy contains a sub-opioid compound, similar to morphine, but without the side effect of central nervous system depression. Some continue to use the California state flower for its medicinal properties, which, in addition to pain relief and sedation, may include antispasmodic properties as well. Conditions for which California poppy may have medicinal value include insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), persistent cough, and nerve pain.
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