Practical
Plants

Eschscholzia californica

Californian Poppy

a perennial member of the Eschscholzia genus in the family Papaveraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

No records of toxicity have been seen but this species belongs to a family that contains many poisonous plants. Some caution is therefore advised.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked[11][12][3]. This plant is in a family that contains many poisonous plants so some caution is advised in using it.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The Californian poppy is a bitter sedative herb that acts as a diuretic, relieves pain, relaxes spasms and promotes perspiration[8]. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and dried for use in tinctures and infusions[8]. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and incontinence (especially in children)[8]. The watery sap is mildly narcotic and has been used to relieve toothache[8]. It is similar in its effect to the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) but is much milder in its action and does not depress the central nervous system[8]. Another report says that it has a markedly different effect upon the central nervous system, that it is not a narcotic but tends to normalize psychological function[9]. Its gently antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic actions make it a valuable herbal medicine for treating physical and psychological problems in children[9]. It may also prove beneficial in attempts to overcome bedwetting, difficulty in sleeping and nervous tension and anxiety[9]. An extract of the root is used as a wash on the breasts to suppress the flow of milk in lactating females[7][10].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Galactofuge
Product or use
Odontalgic

Environment

Range
Western N. America. A frequent garden escape in Britain.
Habitat
Grassy open places to 2000 metres in California[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow in mid spring or late summer to early autumn in a sunny border outdoors and only just cover the seed[6]. Autumn sown plants may require protection from frosts in cold winters[6]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a poor sandy soil and a sunny position[2][6] but is easily grown in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Plants grow well in maritime climates[6]. A very ornamental plant, it is commonly grown in the flower garden and there are many named varieties[6]. This plant is the state flower of California[7]. Although a perennial it is usually quite short-lived and is more often grown as an annual in this country[4][8]. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c, however, and often survives mild winters[4]. If the dead flowers are removed before they set seed the plant will continue flowering for a longer period[5]. A polymorphic species[13]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be sown in situ[6]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[2]. They close during wet or overcast weather[8]. Plants often self-sow if the soil is disturbed by some means such as hoeing[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  9. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  13. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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