Lemmon's poppy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lemmon's poppy |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eschscholzia
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| Species: |
lemmonii
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Eschscholzia lemmonii is a type of poppy flower. It is commonly known as Lemmon's poppy. This pretty wildflower grows only in certain parts of California, USA.
What is Lemmon's Poppy?
Lemmon's poppy is a special kind of poppy. Its scientific name, Eschscholzia lemmonii, helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about. It is related to the famous California poppy.
Where Does Lemmon's Poppy Live?
This poppy is endemic to California. This means it naturally grows only in California and nowhere else in the world! You can find it in several areas, including the Coast Ranges, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the Transverse Ranges.
One special kind of Lemmon's poppy is called the Tejon poppy. Its scientific name is ssp. kernensis. This subspecies is even more rare! It only grows in the mountains of Kern County, especially near an area called the Grapevine.
What Does Lemmon's Poppy Look Like?
Lemmon's poppy is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year.
- Leaves: Its leaves are divided into many small, round-edged parts. They often grow in a patch close to the ground.
- Stems: The stems stand straight up and can grow up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall.
- Flowers: The flowers are bright orange or dark yellow. Like other poppies, they have delicate petals.
- Fruit and Seeds: After the flower blooms, it forms a long, thin fruit called a capsule. This capsule can be 3 to 7 centimeters (about 1 to 3 inches) long. Inside, it holds many tiny, brown seeds that look like they have a net pattern on them.
