Eschscholzia minutiflora subsp. twisselmannii

Red rock poppy

Family: Papaveraceae · Type: annual · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Red rock poppy is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) 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 plant produces bright yellow flowers with petals 10 to 20 millimeters long. Growing 10 to 25 centimeters tall with a spreading to erect habit, the plant has a distinctive glaucous gray or blue-gray appearance. Its leaves and stems are glabrous, creating a smooth, sleek profile across desert landscapes. The plant produces slender fruits measuring 2.4 to 4.5 centimeters in length, contributing to its delicate desert presence.

Habitat: Desert washes, flats, slopes, generally 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.