Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. covillei

Coville's poppy

Family: Papaveraceae · Type: annual · Native

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: Desert washes, flats, slopes; typically on rhyolite-influenced substrates

Bloom period: Feb-May

Elevation: < 2600 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.