The California poppy is the official state flower of California — a golden-orange bloom that carpets hillsides each spring and gave the “Golden State” much of its glow.

• Official flower: California poppy
• Scientific name: Eschscholzia californica
• Year adopted: 1903
• Native range: California and the western U.S.

About the california poppy

California adopted the poppy as its state flower in 1903. Its silky, cup-shaped petals open in sunshine and close at night or on cloudy days. The flower is so celebrated that California marks Poppy Day each April 6, and vast “super blooms” of poppies draw visitors from around the world.

Where it grows

The California poppy is native to California and the western United States, thriving in dry, sunny, well-drained soil and blooming from February through September.

California state flower FAQs

What is the state flower of California?

California’s state flower is the california poppy (Eschscholzia californica), which it adopted in 1903.

When did California adopt its state flower?

California designated the california poppy as its official state flower in 1903.

Is it illegal to pick California poppies?

Despite a popular myth, there is no law banning the picking of California poppies everywhere. It is, however, illegal to remove them from state and national parks or from land you do not own.

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