Coulter's Matilija poppy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coulter's Matilija poppy |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Romneya
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| Species: |
coulteri
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The Matilija poppy, also known as the California tree poppy, is a large and beautiful flowering plant. It is part of the poppy family and grows back every year. This amazing plant is native to southern California and Baja California in Mexico. You can often find it growing in dry canyons. It likes areas with chaparral and coastal sage scrub plants. Sometimes, it even pops up in places that have recently had a wildfire. People love to grow it in their gardens because of its huge, showy flowers.
The plant's scientific name, coulteri, honors Thomas Coulter. He was an Irish botanist and explorer.
Contents
About the Matilija Poppy
What Does It Look Like?
The Matilija poppy is a type of shrub. It can grow very tall, sometimes over 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) high! Its woody stems grow from a network of underground roots called rhizomes. The leaves are a cool gray-green color and feel a bit waxy. Each leaf is divided into a few long, pointed sections. These leaf blades can grow up to 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) long.
The flowers are truly special. Each plant produces a single, very large flower. It has six crinkly white petals. Each petal can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. In the middle of the flower, you'll see a big cluster of bright yellow stamens. After the flower fades, it forms a bristly seed pod. This pod is about 3 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1.5 inches) long and holds many tiny seeds.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant naturally grows in dry, sunny spots. It prefers the warm climates of southern California and Baja California. You can find it in canyons and hillsides. It's well-suited to areas with chaparral and coastal sage scrub plants. These are tough plants that can handle dry conditions.
Is It Easy to Grow?
While the Matilija poppy is very beautiful, it can be quite a strong grower. Once planted, it often spreads aggressively. It uses its underground rhizomes to send up new shoots. These new plants can appear several feet away from the original one! This means it needs a lot of space to grow.
A California Favorite
State Flower Contest
The Matilija poppy has some of the biggest flowers of any plant native to California. Only the Hibiscus lasiocarpos has flowers that are similar in size. Because of its impressive blooms, the Matilija poppy was considered for a special honor. In 1890, it was nominated to become the official California state flower. However, another famous flower, the California poppy, won the title by a huge margin.
Even though it didn't become the state flower, the Matilija poppy is still very popular. In the United Kingdom, both the main plant and a special type called ‘White Cloud’ have won an award. This award is called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It shows that these plants are excellent for growing in gardens.
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See also
In Spanish: Amapola de México para niños
