The American Southwest is home to two famous wildflowers: the Mexican poppie (Eschscholzia mexicana) and the California poppie (Eschscholzia californica). They add color to dry areas with their frilly blue-green leaves and happy orange and yellow flowers. These two poppy species are in the same genus, but they are very different. Find out how to tell the difference between Mexican and California poppies below.
Key Traits of the Mexican Poppy
In the dry southwestern United States and Mexico, the Mexican poppy does very well. It can be an annual or a short-lived perennial and grows to be 6 to 18 inches tall.
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Feathery blue-green leaves up to 5 inches long are finely divided into narrow linear segments.
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Flowers have 4 yellow, orange or red petals and bloom from February to September, opening during the day.
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There is no raised ring where the petals meet the stem. The stem connects directly to the flower base
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Flowers are solitary at the ends of slender stems. Plants have multiple flowering stems.
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Flower color is typically solid yellow or orange, sometimes with both on the same plant.
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Long narrow seed pods are around 3 inches long
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Mexican poppies self-seed freely and can become weedy when conditions are right.
Key Traits of the California Poppy
The California poppy is the state flower of California, ranging along the Pacific coast. It grows as an annual, biennial or short-lived perennial to about 1-2 feet tall.
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Feathery blue-green leaves up to 8 inches long are finely divided into narrow segments.
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Flowers have 4 yellow, orange or red petals with a black basal spot. They bloom from February to September, opening during the day.
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There is a distinct raised ring where the petals meet the stem that looks like a little cup.
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Flowers nod atop long slender stems. Plants have multiple flowering stems.
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Most flowers are orange, yellow, pink, red, or a mix of orange and yellow.
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Slender seed pods are around 3 inches long, splitting open when ripe.
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California poppies self-seed readily but less aggressively than Mexican poppies.
Distinguishing Features of the Two Species
Mexican poppies and California poppies look a lot alike at first glance. But close inspection reveals key differences between them.
The most reliable identifier is the flower stems. Mexican poppies lack the small leaf-like ring encircling the stem right below the flower. This raised cup or disk is signature to California poppies.
Both poppies have such finely divided leaves that it’s tricky to separate them. Focus on the more obvious flower differences.
Flower color provides clues but isn’t definitive. California poppies tend to have bicolor yellow and orange blooms while Mexican poppies are often solid yellow or orange.
In overlapping ranges, these two species can cross-pollinate. Resulting hybrids may show intermediate traits, blurring the lines. Comparing multiple characteristics helps confirm ID in ambiguous cases.
When unsure, check for that little leafy ring where the flower meets the stem. Its presence or absence reveals whether you have found a California poppy or a Mexican poppy.
Growing Mexican and California Poppies
Both poppies thrive best in full sun and lean, well-drained soils. They handle heat and drought extremely well once established. Minimal care is needed for these self-seeding flowers.
For home gardens, California poppies are usually preferable over potentially weedy Mexican poppies. But for large restoration sites, the vigor of Mexican poppies makes them a good choice.
Let these tough poppies sow freely in designated areas of your landscape. They’ll reward you with cheerful flowers year after year. Appreciate both the similarities and differences between these two vibrant wildflower species.
Mexican poppies and California poppies share a lot in common, from their lacy foliage to their bold blooms. But the lack of a stem ring on Mexican poppies versus the presence of a leafy cup where the petals meet the stem on California poppies provides the key trait to tell these two poppy species apart. Learning the subtle distinctions helps with proper identification out in the wildflowers.
Why do I see seeds and plants for California Poppies on the East Coast?
Although these plants’ native ranges are kept to the westernmost side of the United States, they have become favorites for planting in East Coast gardens. They can grow well in places other than their native range as long as you plant them somewhere sunny and well-drained.
So, if you want to plant something that will have the most positive effect on wildlife in your area, plant native plants that grow naturally there.
There are a few varieties of California Poppies
As you might expect for a place as big as North America, there are different kinds of California Poppies that grow there naturally. Each of these types looks the same, but hidden within their genes is the ability to thrive in different climates and areas. Here are some varieties of California Poppy to consider:
- Coastal California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica var. maritime). These California Poppies love to grow along the Pacific coastline.
- Mexican California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana). These grow from California to Texas, and south throughout Mexico.
- California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)—this is the non-sub-species variety, native to…California!
White Prickly Poppy and Mexican Prickly Poppy
FAQ
What is the difference between Mexican poppies and California poppies?
You can tell the difference by looking at the underside of the flower. The California poppy has a small leaf-like ring where the stem meets the petals. The Mexican poppy has none. Flowers of the Mexican poppy are yellow or orange, and sometimes there will be both colors on the same plant!.
What are Mexican poppies used for?
The spiny leaves of Mexican poppy contain white, latex-based poisonous sap, making them toxic and bitter to grazers. Culturally, Mexican Poppy is used as an infusion to relieve post-natal kidney pain. It was called “cardosanto” when the Spanish colonised Sonora and Argemone was taken as a laxative.
Why is California poppy illegal?
Most of us Californians grew up believing it is illegal to pick California Poppies, because it is the state flower. It turns out that’s not quite true! There isn’t a law that specifically protects the California Poppy, but it is against the law to take plants from someone else’s property or damage them.
Are Mexican gold poppies edible?
The flower petals are edible and a beautiful addition to a salad.