Eschscholzia androuxii
Joshua tree poppy
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Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Eschscholzia androuxii (Joshua tree poppy) is a native California annual in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by dark filament bases.
Joshua tree poppy is a California native annual herb ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in desert washes, flats, and slopes in the Mojave Desert at elevations ranging from 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from February to May, this delicate poppy produces bright yellow flowers 10 to 25 millimeters wide with distinctive dark filament bases. Growing 10 to 35 centimeters tall with a spreading to erect habit, the plant has a glabrous (smooth) stem and branches. Its leaves feature short, generally obtuse segments, with the uppermost cauline leaves containing more than 8 distinctive leaf segments. The plant produces elongated fruits 3 to 5.5 centimeters long, containing small round black seeds with net-ridged surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinguished by dark filament bases
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert washes, flats, slopes
Bloom period
Eschscholzia androuxii blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Papaver: Eschscholzia sepals form pointed cap that pops off; Papaver has 2 separate hairy sepals.; vs Artemisia: Eschscholzia has 4-petaled flowers; Artemisia has tiny clustered flower heads, no petals.; vs Dendromecon: Eschscholzia is herbaceous annual; Dendromecon is woody shrub with undivided leaves.; vs Afropapaver: Eschscholzia has cup-shaped receptacle; Afropapaver has flat receptacle.; vs Camissoniopsis: Eschscholzia has numerous stamens; Camissoniopsis has exactly 8 stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eschscholzia androuxii native to California?
Yes. Eschscholzia androuxii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eschscholzia androuxii bloom?
Eschscholzia androuxii blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Eschscholzia androuxii belong to?
Eschscholzia androuxii is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Eschscholzia.
Is Eschscholzia androuxii rare or endangered?
Eschscholzia androuxii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Eschscholzia androuxii grow in?
Eschscholzia androuxii grows in Desert washes, flats, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.