California poppy is a member of the Papaveraceae family. It is native to the mountains and prairies of California. It grows from 15-100 cm (6-39 in) tall. The leaves are narrow, long, and lanceolate. The bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers are approximately 10 mm (0.4 in) wide. The common name of California poppy comes from some of the chemical compounds found in this plant. California poppy can be toxic to dogs and cats, and can cause symptoms of narcosis, muscular relaxation, depression of the central respiratory center, pinpoint pupils, cyanosis, respiratory failure, and death depending on how much you consume.
What is California poppy?
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is an annual herb in the poppy family, Papaveraceae. Native California poppies used as food and medicine are found throughout western North America. The genus Eschscholzia was named for the chemist Franz Michael von Eschscholz. Its common names include California poppy, butterfly poppy, butterfly weed, butterfly plant, Easter lily, Indian poppies, kikori, kohlrabi, lady’s-slipper, lily of the Nile, lady’s-slipper, Mary Washington, and mother-of-the-month-flower.