Plant Data Sheet for Eschscholzia californica, California
poppy
Species
Eschscholzia californica,
California poppy
Range
USDA range 8 to 10
Climate, elevation
0-6561 ft. elevation in drier soils
Local occurrence (where, how common)
Habitat preferences
Full sun, grows excellent on slopes and roadsides
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
Tolerates full sun, seaside conditions, and sand
Associated species
?
May be collected as: (seed,
layered, divisions, etc.)
seed
Collection restrictions or guidelines
Flowers spring and throughout the summer and fall;
allow seedheads to dry on plant and then remove and collect seeds
Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)
Seed dormancy generally absent in plants of cultivated heritage
Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf life)
?
Recommended seed storage conditions
?
Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Sow seeds in fall or early spring directly into site as it is not easy to transplant
Soil or medium requirements
(inoculum necessary?)
Well drained, drier soils; will tolerate poor soil; fertilizing is not necessary and over-fertilization will cause abundance of foliage that lacks flowers
Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)
seed at approximately $1.59 per 2.5 grams, or $21.95 per
pound
Recommended planting density
Space about
6-9” apart at a depth of 1/8” to 1/4”
Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Water
regularly to establish, and only an occasional deep watering is required
thereafter; plants are drought-tolerant and over watering will cause the roots
to rot
Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan
One plant
will grow up 12-20 inches and spread up to 20 inches; plant is stress deciduous
and annual
Sources cited
http://www.laspilitas.com/plants/304.htm
http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi?earl=plant_profile.cgi&symbol=ESCA2
http://www.gardenguides.com/flowers/annuals/cpoppy.htm
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?special=calflora&where-calrecnum=3512&one=T
Data compiled by
Maddi Schweitzer on