Californian Poppy

Californian Poppy - Eschscholzia californica

Description

A vigorous, bushy, spreading plant to 30cm, with finely divided blue-green leaves and flowers to 7cm across which are usually orange but may be yellow or even red.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Frequently encountered as a casual on rubbish tips and roadsides, but sometimes becomes naturalised in quarries, on railway tracks and waste ground.

When to see it

In flower late May to August.

Life History

A perennial herb, but usually grown as an annual in Britain - it rarely overwinters other than in milder areas.

UK Status

Widespread as an escape from cultivation in Britain.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in the wild in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records