Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei
Coville's poppy
(c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei (Coville's poppy) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family.
Coville's poppy is a California native annual found in desert regions on washes, flats, and slopes, typically on rhyolite-influenced substrates at elevations below 2,600 meters. Flowering from February to May, this delicate poppy produces bright yellow flowers with petals 7 to 12 millimeters long in small, compact buds. Growing with a spreading to erect habit, the plant reaches 6 to 12 centimeters tall with slender, branching stems. Its compact form is characterized by finely divided foliage typical of desert poppy species. The fruit develops to 4 to 8 centimeters long, adding to its distinctive desert adaptations.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert washes, flats, slopes; typically on rhyolite-influenced substrates
Elevation: < 2600 m
Bloom period
Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei 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 minutiflora subsp. covillei native to California?
Yes. Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei bloom?
Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei blooms Feb-May.
What plant family does Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei belong to?
Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Eschscholzia.
What habitat does Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei grow in?
Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei grows in Desert washes, flats, slopes; typically on rhyolite-influenced substrates.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.