California poppy

American  

noun

1. a plant, Eschscholtzia californica, of the poppy family, having feathery bluish foliage and showy, orange-yellow flowers: the state flower of California.

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California poppy British  

noun

1. Also called: eschscholzia.   eschscholtzia.  a papaveraceous plant, Eschscholtzia californica, of the Pacific coast of North America, having yellow or orange flowers and finely divided bluish-green leaves

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Etymology

Origin of California poppy

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

In parallel, Werner plans to monitor how key plants, including Gary oak, buckbrush, California poppy, and yarrow, respond to different planting densities on nearly 100 plots.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 18, 2023

In the Bay Area, it was the California poppy.

From New York Times • May 15, 2023

A few moments later she is bending over a California poppy that has sprouted between the stones.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2023

This feels strange and incorrect, because in California, it is California poppy season.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2023

"The California poppy is a gorgeous blossom for an edge," said Ethel Blue, "and there are other kinds of poppies that are yellow."

From Ethel Morton's Enterprise by Smith, Mabell S. C. (Mabell Shippie Clarke)