Hesperomecon linearis
Narrowleaf queen poppy
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Family: Papaveraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Hesperomecon linearis (Narrowleaf queen poppy) is a native California herb in the Papaveraceae family, recognized by Monotypic genus representing a distinct lineage in the poppy family, distributed in California's grassland regions.
Narrowleaf queen poppy is a California native annual found in central California's Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, San Joaquin Valley, and Central Western regions in grassy areas and washes at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this delicate poppy produces cream-colored flowers with yellow bases, 3 to 20 millimeters long, with petals that are ovate to obovate. Growing 3 to 40 centimeters tall with spreading-hairy stems, it has a delicate, open growth habit. Its leaves are primarily basal or near-basal, linear in shape, ranging from 5 to 85 millimeters long. The fruit is an ovate capsule 10 to 15 millimeters long, containing small reniform-obovate seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Monotypic genus representing a distinct lineage in the poppy family, distributed in California's grassland regions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassy areas, washes
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Stanislaus, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Madera, Tulare, Alameda, San Mateo, Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Fresno, Sonoma
Outside California: southern Oregon
Bloom period
Hesperomecon linearis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Platystemon: Three stigmas in flower center (not 6+ like Platystemon's linear stigmas).; vs Meconella: Many stamens (12+) creating bushy center, not just 3-6 stamens.; vs Canbya: Plants conspicuously hairy with long soft hairs, not hairless or nearly so.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hesperomecon linearis native to California?
Yes. Hesperomecon linearis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Hesperomecon linearis bloom?
Hesperomecon linearis blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Hesperomecon linearis grow?
Hesperomecon linearis occurs in Contra Costa, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Stanislaus, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Hesperomecon linearis belong to?
Hesperomecon linearis is in the Papaveraceae family, genus Hesperomecon.
What habitat does Hesperomecon linearis grow in?
Hesperomecon linearis grows in Grassy areas, washes.
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.