Family Name: Papaveraceae
Botanical Name(s): Eschscholzia Californica.
Popular Name(s): Californian Poppy
Parts Used: Dried aerial parts
Habitat: It is a native of California.
Description: A perennial herb, with spreading stems, growing up
to 2 feet tall. The leaves are divided many times into fine
greenish-gray segments. Conspicuous flowers (February-September) range
in color from bright yellow to deep orange and have four petals and many
stamens.
Uses: California poppy leaves were used medicinally and the
pollen was used cosmetically. The seeds are used in cooking. Extract
from the California poppy acts as a mild sedative when smoked. The
effect is far milder than that of opium, which contains a different
class of alkaloids.
