This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Eschscholzia californica
  • Californian Poppy

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Eschscholzia californica has 0 edible uses listed
Eschscholzia californica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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

Notes

Leaves - cooked[1][2][3]. This plant is in a family that contains many poisonous plants so some caution is advised in using it.

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Eschscholzia californica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The Californian poppy is a bitter sedative herb that acts as a diuretic, relieves pain, relaxes spasms and promotes perspiration[4]. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and dried for use in tinctures and infusions[4]. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and incontinence (especially in children)[4].

The watery sap is mildly narcotic and has been used to relieve toothache[4]. 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[4]. 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[5]. Its gently antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic actions make it a valuable herbal medicine for treating physical and psychological problems in children[5]. It may also prove beneficial in attempts to overcome bedwetting, difficulty in sleeping and nervous tension and anxiety[5].

An extract of the root is used as a wash on the breasts to suppress the flow of milk in lactating females[6][7].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Galactofuge
Odontalgic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in mid spring or late summer to early autumn in a sunny border outdoors and only just cover the seed[8]. Autumn sown plants may require protection from frosts in cold winters[8]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Eschscholzia californica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a poor sandy soil and a sunny position[9][8] but is easily grown in an ordinary garden soil[10]. Succeeds in a hot dry position. Plants grow well in maritime climates[8].

A very ornamental plant, it is commonly grown in the flower garden and there are many named varieties[8]. This plant is the state flower of California[6]. Although a perennial it is usually quite short-lived and is more often grown as an annual in this country[11][4]. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c, however, and often survives mild winters[11]. If the dead flowers are removed before they set seed the plant will continue flowering for a longer period[12]. A polymorphic species[13]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be sown in situ[8]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[9]. They close during wet or overcast weather[4].

Plants often self-sow if the soil is disturbed by some means such as hoeing[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Eschscholzia californica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Eschscholzia californica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Eschscholzia californica
Genus
Eschscholzia
Family
Papaveraceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[4][5][6][7]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[14][13][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
0.3 x 0.15 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)
  10. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  12. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press (1959-00-00)
  14. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-60

"image:California Poppies3.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Eschscholzia_californica&oldid=77188"
Facts about "Eschscholzia californica"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyPapaveraceae +
Belongs to genusEschscholzia +
Has common nameCalifornian Poppy +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partLeaves +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeBee +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageCalifornia Poppies3.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height0.3 +
Has mature width0.15 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antispasmodic +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Galactofuge + and Odontalgic +
Has primary imageCalifornia Poppies3.jpg +
Has search nameeschscholzia californica + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameEschscholzia californica +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +