California Poppies
- California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, was named in 1816 by Adelbert
Von Chamisso, a botanist on board the Russian ship Rurik. It was named for
his friend and fellow botanist Johann von Eschscholtz.On the same voyage,
a Pacific island was named Eschscholtz Atoll. It was later renamed Bikini.
- California became known as the Golden State, not because of gold, but because
of the blazing golden hills of California poppies
- California Poppy is also known by the names Flame Flower and copa de oro
(cup of gold)
- Over 100 years ago, the California State Floral Society cast their votes
among three flowers to designate as the official flower of California. They
were: California Poppy, Matilija Poppy, and the Mariposa Lily. No votes for
Matilija poppy, 3 for the Mariposa Lily, and the rest for the California Poppy.
The California Poppy became the official State Flower in 1903.
- April 6th is California Poppy Day
- Accidentally introduced into Chile with alfalfa seed in the 1800's, there
are now more California Poppies in Chile than in California.
- California Poppy leaves and seeds were used by Native Americans, both medicinally
and in cooking. The pollen was used as a cosmetic.
- It is NOT true that cutting or picking the California Poppy is illegal because
it is the state flower.
- During the peak blooming season at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in
Los Angeles County, the entire 1745 acres are covered with golden blooms.
- California Poppy has spread all over the country, from Washington to Texas,
and is even considered to be in danger of becoming an invasive weed in Tennessee.
- Two songs have been written about the California Poppy. The first was written
in 1902; the second was sung in schools in the San Francisco Bay area in the
1940's and 50's and went like this:
* Poppies, golden poppies, gleaming in the sun
* Closing up at evening, when the day is done
* Pride of California, flower of our state
* Growing from the mountains to the Golden Gate
- The orange poppy signifies extravagance