Eschscholzia rhombipetala
Diamond-petaled california poppy
(c) Justin Paulin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Paulin · licence
Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Eschscholzia rhombipetala (Diamond-petaled california poppy) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by tiny petals that fall quickly and barrel-shaped receptacle.
Diamond-petaled california poppy is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in western San Joaquin Valley and eastern San Francisco Bay Area in fallow fields, grasslands, and open places at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces yellow flowers 3 to 6 millimeters long that typically fall on the first day of blooming. Growing 5 to 20 centimeters tall with an erect, glabrous stem, it emerges as a delicate and slender annual. Its leaves have obtuse segments, creating a soft, understated green texture across the plant. The fruit reaches 4 to 7 centimeters long, containing round black seeds with distinctive net-ridged surfaces.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by tiny petals that fall quickly and barrel-shaped receptacle
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fallow fields, open places, grasslands, in loose soils
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Colusa, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, San Joaquin
Bloom period
Eschscholzia rhombipetala blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 rhombipetala native to California?
Yes. Eschscholzia rhombipetala is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Eschscholzia rhombipetala bloom?
Eschscholzia rhombipetala blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Eschscholzia rhombipetala grow?
Eschscholzia rhombipetala occurs in Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Colusa, Stanislaus, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Eschscholzia rhombipetala belong to?
Eschscholzia rhombipetala is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Eschscholzia.
Is Eschscholzia rhombipetala rare or endangered?
Eschscholzia rhombipetala carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Eschscholzia sp.
- Eschscholzia androuxii — Joshua tree poppy
- Eschscholzia caespitosa — Foothill poppy
- Eschscholzia californica — California poppy
- Eschscholzia glyptosperma — Desert gold poppy
- Eschscholzia hypecoides — San benito poppy
- Fumaria capreolata — White ramping fumitory
- Fumaria officinalis — Fumitory
- Fumaria parviflora — Fine leaved fumitory
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.