Flowers of the Southwest Deserts

by Natt N. Dodge

Eschscholtzia mexicana

Common names: GOLDPOPPY, DESERTPOPPY, (COPRA-DE-ORO), MEXICAN POPPY Arizona desert: (Eschscholtzia mexicana). Orange. February-May. California desert: (Eschscholtzia glyptosperma). Bright yellow. March-May. Poppy family. Size: 3 inches to a foot high, with many flower stems.

Because of their abundance and dense growth, following winters of heavy precipitation, these annual poppies often cover portions of the desert with “a cloth of gold.” They are closely related to the well-known California Poppy, state flower of California, and a common border or bedding plant in home flower gardens. In the desert, Goldpoppies are sometimes mixed with Owlclover, Lupines, and other spring flowers forming a multi-colored carpet that attracts visitors from great distances. (See [cover].)

ORANGE