Dendromecon harfordii
Channel island tree poppy, Channel Island Tree Poppy
(c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.1
Dendromecon harfordii (Channel island tree poppy) is a native California shrub / tree in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by height and leaf width.
Channel island tree poppy is a rare (CNPS 3.1) California native shrub found in the Channel Islands in shrubby slopes at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with petals 2 to 3 centimeters long. Growing 2 to 6 meters tall with an upright, branching structure, it forms a distinctive woody shrub with a robust architectural presence. Its leaves are 3 to 8 centimeters long and 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters wide, providing a lush green backdrop to its vibrant floral display. The fruit develops 7 to 10 centimeters long, adding structural interest to this unique island endemic.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by height and leaf width
Habitat and range
Habitat: shrubby slopes
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Calaveras, San Bernardino
Bloom period
Dendromecon harfordii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.1
How to tell it apart
vs Eschscholzia: Woody shrub with persistent stems, not herbaceous annual dying back each year.; vs Hypericum: Four petals (not five), leaves narrow and simple without oil dots.; vs Crocanthemum: Poppy-like flowers with many stamens, leaves leathery without star-shaped hairs.; vs Hunnemannia: Woody perennial shrub, not herbaceous annual from Mexico.; vs Salix: Showy yellow poppy flowers with 4 petals, not tiny catkins without petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dendromecon harfordii native to California?
Yes. Dendromecon harfordii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dendromecon harfordii bloom?
Dendromecon harfordii blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Dendromecon harfordii grow?
Dendromecon harfordii occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Calaveras, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Dendromecon harfordii belong to?
Dendromecon harfordii is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Dendromecon.
Is Dendromecon harfordii rare or endangered?
Dendromecon harfordii carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.