California poppy

noun

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

California poppy

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of California poppy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

It also offers a variety of seeds for black, white, purple, Cleveland and hummingbird sages, as well as apricot mallow, showy penstemon, yarrow, California poppies, caterpillar phacelia and more.

From Los Angeles Times

For every observation of a California poppy or a ground squirrel, there are three western fence lizards.

From Los Angeles Times

Here’s a primer for newbies who complain that Southern California has no seasons: You know it’s spring when our orange California poppies start to bloom and the garden tours begin.

From Los Angeles Times

At Los Padres National Forest along the Central California coast, swaths of California poppies, California buttercups, purple shooting stars and goldfields fill the slopes.

From Los Angeles Times

Also, the California poppy is just one of several types of poppy in the state.

From Los Angeles Times