Eschscholzia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eschscholzia
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Papaveraceae
Subfamily:	Papaveroideae
Tribe:	Eschscholzieae
Genus:	Eschscholzia Cham.
Species
See text

Eschscholzia is a group of 12 types of plants that have pretty flowers. These plants can be either annuals (meaning they live for one year) or perennials (meaning they live for more than two years). They belong to the Papaveraceae family, which is also known as the poppy family.

The name Eschscholzia comes from a botanist named Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz. He was a plant scientist from the Russian Empire who lived from 1793 to 1831. All the plants in this group grow naturally in Mexico or the southern parts of the United States.

What They Look Like

The leaves of Eschscholzia plants are deeply cut, which means they have many deep lobes or divisions. They are also smooth (glabrous) and have a slightly waxy, bluish-green coating (glaucous). Most of the leaves grow from the base of the plant, but some can also be found on the stem.

The Flowers have four petals and are usually yellow or orange. They grow at the end of the stem. Sometimes there's just one flower, or they can grow in groups called cymes. The petals are shaped like a wedge, making the flower look like a funnel. Before the flower opens, it has two fused outer leaves called sepals. These sepals fall off as the flower bud opens up. Each flower has many stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen. These flowers tend to close up when the weather is cloudy.

The Seeds are very tiny and black. They are held inside long, pointed seed cases called pods. When the seeds are ready, these pods split open to release them.

The main root of the plant, called a taproot, can release a clear or orange liquid. This liquid is a type of latex and is a little bit toxic, so it's best not to touch it or put it in your mouth.

Growing These Plants

The most famous plant in this group is the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica). It's so special that it's the state flower of California! Another plant, Eschscholzia caespitosa, looks a lot like the California poppy. However, it's smaller and doesn't have a small collar-like structure right below its petals.

Eschscholzia lobbii is another type often grown in gardens. People sometimes mistakenly sell it as Eschscholzia caespitosa. E. lobbii has yellow flowers and very thin leaves.

These plants grow best in places that are warm and dry. They can handle a little bit of frost, but they prefer warmer weather. They don't need rich soil and can grow well in poor soils, as long as the water drains away easily.

Some special types of these plants, called cultivars, have won awards. For example, 'Apricot Chiffon' has orange and yellow flowers, and 'Rose Chiffon' has pink and cream flowers. Both of these have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit because they are excellent garden plants.

Types of Eschscholzia

Here are some of the different species (types) of Eschscholzia plants:

• Eschscholzia androuxii
• Eschscholzia caespitosa — also called tufted poppy or foothill poppy
• Eschscholzia californica — the famous California poppy
• Eschscholzia elegans
• Eschscholzia glyptosperma
• Eschscholzia hypecoides
• Eschscholzia lemmonii
• Eschscholzia lobbii — sometimes called frying pans
• Eschscholzia minutiflora
• Eschscholzia palmeri
• Eschscholzia parishii
• Eschscholzia ramosa
• Eschscholzia rhombipetala
• Eschscholzia tejonensis