Eschscholzia minutiflora (Pygmy Gold Poppy)

Photographs

My photos:

This photos wase taken in Februrary at Anza Borrego, alongside the road on S22 going down into the valley.

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Papaveraceae

In the garden:

Eschscholzia minutiflora is an annual with several ascending stems, from 4 to 20 inches in height. Stems are branched and leafy throughout. Leaves are thick and finely dissected. Small flowers are bright yellow and occur from March to May. Best when used on sunny hillsides, in dry fields, and in native gardens. Broadcast seed in the fall on a loose, well drained soil. Reseeds freely if not crowded out by weeds.

Actually, I believe my photo might be E. glyptosperma (Desert Gold Poppy), based on the statement that E. minutiflora is found in the Mojave desert [ref] whereas E. glyptosperma occurs in the northern Colorado desert, which is where Anza Borrego is located - although I found the plant at an elevation and not on the desert floor (and although now I know more about both species than when I took the photo, its too late to go back and examine it more closely). "The seeds [of E. glyptosperma] also have a very strong dormancy, which currently impairs the use of this species in cultivation." [ref]

In the wild:

Common to both deserts in sandy and gravelly places, below 5000 feet. Birds are attracted to the seed.

Ethnobotany:

Various species of Eschscholzia were used by native people as a sedative for babies, and the pollen was used as a cosmetic.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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