Eschscholzia glyptosperma
Desert gold poppy
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eschscholzia glyptosperma (Desert gold poppy) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by basal rosette growth and leafless flower stalks.
Desert gold poppy is a California native annual found in the desert bioregion in desert washes, flats, and slopes at elevations of 50 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with petals 12 to 25 millimeters long. Growing erect and glabrous with stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall, it has a delicate, slender form. Its basal leaves are intricately divided into three-part segments, with short linear leaflets condensed at the end of long leaf stalks. The fruit develops to 4 to 7 centimeters long, bearing round seeds 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters wide in tan to ashy-gray tones.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; distinguished by basal rosette growth and leafless flower stalks
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert washes, flats, slopes
Elevation: 50-1500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Fresno, Sacramento, Butte
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, western Arizona
Bloom period
Eschscholzia glyptosperma blooms Feb-May.
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 glyptosperma native to California?
Yes. Eschscholzia glyptosperma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eschscholzia glyptosperma bloom?
Eschscholzia glyptosperma blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Eschscholzia glyptosperma grow?
Eschscholzia glyptosperma occurs in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo, Kern, Imperial, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of 50-1500 m.
What plant family does Eschscholzia glyptosperma belong to?
Eschscholzia glyptosperma is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Eschscholzia.
What habitat does Eschscholzia glyptosperma grow in?
Eschscholzia glyptosperma 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
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.