9/10/2009 - The California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is native to grassy and open areas from sea level to 2,000m (6,500 feet) altitude in the western United States throughout California, extending to Oregon, southern Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and in Mexico in Sonora and northwest Baja California.

The California poppy is the California state flower. The leaves were used medicinally by Native Americans, and the pollen was used cosmetically. The seeds are used in cooking.