- Romneya
-
Matilija Poppy 
Matilija poppy flower and flower bud. Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Papaveraceae Genus: Romneya
Harv.Species Romneya coulteri
Romneya trichocalyxRomneya (
/ˈrɒmniːə/)[1] is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the poppy family (Papaveraceae). There are two species in genus Romneya, which was named for Irish astronomer John Thomas Romney Robinson.[2] They are known commonly as Matilija poppies (/məˈtɪlɨhɑː/ mə-til-i-hah) or tree poppies and are native to southern California and northern Mexico.They are perennial subshrubs with woody stems. They may grow to a height of 2.5 meters (8 ft) and a width of 1 m (35 in), with the flowers up to 13 cm (5 in) across. The silvery green leaves are deeply cut, with a small fringe of hairs at the margins.
They are notable for their large white flowers with intense yellow centers, blooming in summer. Romneya produce the largest flowers of any members of the poppy family.[3] These flowers prefer a warm, sunny spot and fertile soil with good water drainage. They are not easily grown but once established are difficult to remove. In the wild, they are known as "fire followers" as they can be frequently, but not exclusively, found in burned areas.[4]
Also known as "fried egg flower".
Matilija poppy at Strybing Arboretum, San Francisco
The two species are:
- Romneya coulteri Harvey - Coulter's Matilija poppy
- Romneya trichocalyx Eastwood - Bristly Matilija poppy. Some consider this a variety of Romneya coulteri.
References
- ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
- ^ Jepson Manual Treatment
- ^ Flora of North America
- ^ Quinn, Ronald D. and Keeley, Sterling, C. (2006). Introduction to California Chaparral. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 145.
External links
Categories:- Papaveraceae genera
- Flora of California
- Flora of Baja California
- Flowers
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