California poppy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• California golden poppy
• California poppy
• Californian Poppy
• California-poppy

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Omonoia californica
• Chryseis californica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Eschscholzia californica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Papaveraceae. It is further categorized under the genus Eschscholzia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as the California poppy, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Additionally, its presence extends to the northern territories of Finland. The species is also documented in the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, it maintains a geographical foothold in Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eschscholzia californica is characterized by its adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 2800 m AMSL. It is most commonly found inhabiting lowland environments, where it thrives in open, sunny landscapes. This wide elevational range allows the species to occupy various ecological niches, spanning from coastal lowlands to higher montane regions, provided the environmental conditions support its growth patterns within these altitudinal limits.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Genetics

The genetics of Eschscholzia californica are characterized by a specific karyotype that serves as a fundamental taxonomic marker for the species. The plant possesses a diploid chromosome number of 12, a stable genomic configuration that underpins its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Papaveraceae family. This chromosomal arrangement facilitates the complex inheritance patterns required for the expression of its diverse secondary metabolites, including various alkaloids that define its chemical profile. The genetic architecture of the species is integral to its ability to adapt to diverse environmental stressors, ensuring morphological stability and phenotypic plasticity across its natural habitats.

Chromosome number :

12

Life history

The life history of Eschscholzia californica is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial, depending on the environmental conditions and specific subspecies. As a therophyte, the plant completes its developmental stages through a specialized growth strategy designed to survive unfavorable periods. Throughout its existence, it maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage to support continuous physiological processes. This combination of a flexible lifecycle and a therophytic life form allows the species to adapt effectively to its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Eschscholzia californica is characterized by a growth form categorized as a non-woody herb or forb. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.31 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.306666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eschscholzia californica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not possess the ability to act as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrients for its nitrogen requirements. Its foliage exhibits a linear leaf form, with dimensions that vary significantly; the leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while the leaf width spans from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, with an average leaf width of approximately 10 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eschscholzia californica is primarily a sexual process characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate cross-pollination, as self-fertilization is notably absent. The reproductive cycle typically begins with flowering in April and concludes around June, featuring vibrant red blossoms that range in length from 2 to 2.5 cm and in width from 2 to 3 cm. These flowers rely on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that is dehiscent in nature. These fruits vary in size, with a minimum length of 3 cm, a mean length of 5.8 cm, and a maximum length reaching up to 10 cm, while maintaining an average width of 0.4 cm. Within these capsules, the plant produces a high volume of seeds, ranging from 101 to 1000 seeds per fruit. The individual seeds are quite small, with a length between 1.2 and 1.5 mm and a mean mass of approximately 0.0015107334 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.000705 g to a maximum of 0.002388 g). Dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant utilizes self-dispersal mechanisms to spread its progeny. No asexual reproduction methods were observed for this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flower length min:

2 cm

Flower width max:

3 cm

Flower width min:

2 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit length mean:

5.8 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed length min:

1.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.002388 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0015107334 g

Seed mass min:

0.000705 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eschscholzia californica has 71 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include HUNNEMANINE, Macarpine, Norsanguinarine, SANGUINARINE, californidine.

HUNNEMANINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Folia microbiologica

Macarpine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Norsanguinarine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Folia microbiologica

SANGUINARINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

californidine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)

chelerythrine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

protopine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

(-)-Caryachine

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Norargemonine

1. Dr. Duke

10-Hydroxysanguinarine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Eschscholzia californica has 309 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Sedative, Antihistaminic, Anxiolytic, (+)-Inotropic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Sedative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antihistaminic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Anxiolytic

1. Planta medica
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Eschscholzia californica has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anxiety, analgesic, anxiolytic, anxiolytic effects, depression.

Anxiety

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung
2. CNS drugs
3. Planta medica

Analgesic

1. Planta medica

Anxiolytic

1. Planta medica

Anxiolytic effects

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Depression

1. Planta medica

Restlessness

1. Planta medica

Sedative

1. Planta medica

Sedative effects

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Eschscholzia californica has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include alcoholic drug extracts, aqueous extract, methanolic extract of the whole plant, suspension cell cultures, suspension cultures.

Alcoholic drug extracts

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Aqueous extract

1. Planta medica

Methanolic extract of the whole plant

1. Folia microbiologica

Suspension cell cultures

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Suspension cultures

1. Journal of proteome research