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Wildflower bloom: Here’s a checklist of Southern California favorites

March 13, 2026

Getting wild

Today we look at wildflowers that are in our area starting with California’s state flower.

Poppy pop quiz

There are hundreds of species of poppies in the world, and California poppies are highly variable with many similar plants throughout the state. Here is a quick test of your knowledge of the popular plant.

1. Is it legal to pick California poppies?

Answer: Yes, but collecting plants in state and national parks is prohibited. It is often believed that there are laws prohibiting the cutting or damaging of the California poppy because it is the state flower. While there is no law protecting the California Poppy specifically, it is illegal to remove or damage plants from property that a person does not own. Without written permission from the landowner, such actions may constitute trespassing or petty theft. You can grow your own and pick them, but the plants wilt quickly. Best to enjoy where planted. You can read more about it at the California Fish and Wildlife site here.

2. Are California poppies other colors besides orange?

Answer: Yes. The orange poppy is the most commonly found, but flowers can also be pink, purple, yellow and cream. Some gardeners have created seed strains of an array of poppy colors. If left alone, the flowers will likely succumb to the dominant orange genes.

3. Are California poppies poisonous?

Answer: Yes. According to the USDA, California poppy may be toxic when taken internally without sufficient preparation. The plant is poisonous to livestock and most insects but the flower can be eaten by Blister beetles. Native Americans used seeds as a food source.

4. Eschscholzia californica is the botanical name given by naturalist Adelbert Von Chamisso around 1816. What year did the poppy officially become the state flower — 1850 or 1903?

Answer: On March 2, 1903. It was selected as the state flower by the California State Floral Society in December 1890, beating out the Mariposa lily (Calochortus) and the Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri). The state Legislature made it official in 1903. April 6 is officially designated as California Poppy Day.

ChecklistWe asked Exequiel Ezcurra, professor of ecology, emeritus, University of California, Riverside, to select some must-see wildflowers in Southern California. See if you can find what’s on his list.

Desert plantsCommon Name, Scientific Name, FamilyJoshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia, AsparagaceaeBrittlebush, Incienso, Encelia farinosa, AsteraceaeBeavertail Cactus, Opuntia basilaris, CactaceaeDesertbells, Phacelia campanularia, HydrophyllaceaeChia, Salvia columbariae, LamiaceaeBirdcage. Oenothera deltoides, OnagraceaeChicalote, Argemone munita, PapaveraceaeScarlet Bugler, Penstemon centranthifolius, PlantaginaceaeJimsonweed, Toloache, Datura wrightii, Solanaceae

Mountain forest plantsCommon Name, Scientific Name, FamilySnow flower, Sarcodes sanguinea, EricaceaeOur Lord’s Candle, Heperoyucca whiplei, AsparagaceaeWestern Wall Flower, Erisymum capitatum, BrassicaceaeManzanita, Arctostaphylos pringlei, Ericaceae

Lower elevation plantsCommon Name, Scientific Name, FamilyCalifornia poppy (above), Eschscholzia californica, PapaveraceeShowy penstemon, Penstemon spectabilis, PlantaginaceaeWhite sage, Salvia apiana, LamiaceaeArroyo lupine, Lupinus succulentus, Fabaceae

Photos are public domain Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise credited

Sources: California State Library, The Nature Niche, UC Davis, US Forest Service , The California Lichen Society, California Native Plant Society, Exequiel Ezcurra, professor of ecology, emeritus, University of California, Riverside.

Wildflower bloom: Here’s a checklist of Southern California favorites Orange County Register

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