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Common Name: Californian Poppy

General Information

Eschscholzia californica is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.30 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Washington to California and Nevada. A frequent garden escape in Britain.

Habitat

Grassy open places to 2000 metres in California[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

The Californian poppy is a bitter sedative herb that acts as a diuretic, relieves pain, relaxes spasms and promotes perspiration[]. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and dried for use in tinctures and infusions[]. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and incontinence (especially in children)[].
The watery sap is mildly narcotic and has been used to relieve toothache[]. 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[]. 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[]. Its gently antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic actions make it a valuable herbal medicine for treating physical and psychological problems in children[]. It may also prove beneficial in attempts to overcome bedwetting, difficulty in sleeping and nervous tension and anxiety[].
An extract of the root is used as a wash on the breasts to suppress the flow of milk in lactating females[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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