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.
