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Native Plant Database

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Platystemon californicus (California creamcups)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Platystemon californicus Benth.

California creamcups, Creamcups

Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

USDA Symbol: plca5

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A soft-haired plant with several stems, each topped with 1 small, bowl-shaped flower resembling a pale yellow or cream buttercup. The delicate, cream-colored, solitary flowers of this 6-12 in. annual are followed by a fruit which has been compared to tiny ears of corn with the husks removed. The flowers are long-stalked from a clump of basal leaves. The stamens are numerous, some of them flattened and petal-like.

This genus consists of only one species, within which there are some races with nearly white petals, others with yellow petals, and still others with cream petals that are yellow at the base.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , DC , OR , UT
Native Distribution: Desert areas of AZ, s. UT & s. CA
Native Habitat: Open fields, sandy places & moist ground along streams; 1500 to 4500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist but well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds in spring.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Platystemon californicus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Platystemon californicus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Platystemon californicus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-08-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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