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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Romneya coulteri (Coulter's matilija poppy)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Romneya coulteri

Romneya coulteri Harv.

Coulter's Matilija Poppy, Matilija Poppy, Fried-egg Flower

Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ROCO

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

From late spring to early summer the 8 ft. stems of Coulter’s matilija-poppy are tipped with five to eight silky, white, poppy-like flowers, each 6-8 in. wide, with crinkled or pleated petals surrounding a large ball of golden stamens. The huge flowers are slightly fragrant. Stems and branches are covered with bright-green, lobed leaves. Tall, heavy, leaning, leafy, branched stems grow in patches and have 5-8 large, fragrant, white flowers blooming near ends.

The large white flowers are conspicuous from a distance in early summer. A second species, Bristly Matilija Poppy (R. trichocalyx), has bristly hairs on the sepals and on the stalk beneath the flower. Hybrids between the two are grown as ornamentals.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: S. CA from San Ana Mts. to San Diego Co.
Native Habitat: Dry washes & canyons below 4000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky or sandy soil.

Propagation

Description: Increase by cuttings of rootstocks taken in fall or winter. Can be propagated by seed but the seedlings take several years to flower.
Seed Treatment: Treat with fire in the fall and germinate outdoors.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1984 VOL. 1, NO.4 - Lady Bird Heartened by Progress, Horticultural Society Annual Meeting Held, Dire...

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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