Romneya trichocalyx

Hairy matilija poppy, Hairy Matilija Poppy

Family: Papaveraceae · Type: shrub · Native

Hairy matilija poppy is a California native shrub found in western Southern California, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in dry washes and canyons at elevations below 1,500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces large, striking white flowers with delicate crinkled petals and bright yellow centers. Growing up to 2 to 3 meters tall with multiple woody stems emerging from underground rhizomes, it forms expansive, dense clusters in rugged terrain. Its leaves are deeply lobed, gray-green in color, with a rough, slightly hairy texture that adds visual complexity to the plant's structure. The fruit develops into large capsules approximately 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters long, containing smooth, light brown seeds.

Habitat: dry washes, canyons

Bloom period: Apr-Jun

Elevation: < 1500 m

Bioregions: w SCo, WTR, PR

California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Alameda, Imperial, Contra Costa

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