Scientific Family
Papaveraceae
Synonyms
Eschscholzia mexicana
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Eschscholzia californica ssp. californica
Height
To 14 inches
Riparian
No
Fern-like plant with many orange or yellow cup-shaped flowers. Flowers remain open only during full sunlight, closing at night and when windy or cloudy. Blooms heavily in the desert after heavy winter rains.
Annual; leaves mostly basal, few on stems. Stems erect, to 14 inches tall. Flower base has 2 distinct rims (inner membranous and erect, outer spreading). Missing the pink flower receptacle of E. californica ssp. californica
Habitat
Slopes, plains, foothills and mesas.
Plant Community
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
4500
Flower Characteristics
Flowers have 4 petals forming a cup. They are to 1-1/2 inches wide on a single stalk, with numerous flowers per plant.
Flower color
Orange or yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
February
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Fern-like basal leaves are up to 1-1/2 inches long, stem leaves similar, but few.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Bluish-green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Slender seed capsules to 4 inches long and longitudinally ridged.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green to brown
Seeds dark brown with veined surfaces.