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The California poppy is one of the most recognizable wildflowers in the United States. Each spring, hillsides across the state turn bright orange as these delicate blooms open toward the sun. It’s easy to see why the poppy became a symbol of California long before it was officially named the state flower.
How the Golden Poppy, or California Poppy, became the state flower of the Golden State.
California Poppy
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
The California poppy grows naturally across much of the western United States, but it is most closely associated with California’s golden hillsides.
A few things that make it special:
Native to California and surrounding regions
Blooms in early spring
Known for its vibrant orange petals
Thrives in dry, sunny landscapes
For many people, seeing a hillside covered in poppies is the moment they truly feel like they’re in California.
Why It Became the State Flower
In the late 1800s, California horticulturists began discussing which flower best represented the state.
In 1890, members of the California State Floral Society voted on the official flower. The golden or California poppy won by a landslide.
The flower reflected two important parts of California’s identity:
the golden color that inspired the nickname The Golden State
the resilience of plants that thrive in California’s varied landscape
In 1903, the California poppy was officially adopted as the state flower.
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