Dendromecon rigida

Dendromecon rigida
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Papaveraceae
Genus:	Dendromecon
Species:	D. rigida
Binomial name
Dendromecon rigida Benth.

Dendromecon rigida, also called bush poppy or tree poppy, is a shrub or small tree of the Papaveraceae native to California and Baja California.

Description

Dendromecon rigida is a small shrub, rarely exceeding 3 m tall. The leaves are alternate, narrow lanceolate, 3–10 cm long, more than three times as long as broad. The margin of the leaves is finely toothed. The plant is evergreen and the leaves are somewhat leathery to the touch. The inflorescences are solitary and terminal. The flowers are 2–7 cm diameter, with four satiny yellow petals. Plants bloom in late winter to mid-spring. The receptacle is funnel-shaped and surrounds the ovary base. Two sepals are shed when the flower blooms, and the petals are shed as well after pollination. There are many free stamens. The fruits produced are cylindric and dehiscent from the base; the fruits measure 5–10 cm long. The many seeds are smooth, brown or black, with a small pale outgrowth.

Habitat

Dendromecon rigida occurs on mainland California (Pacific Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills) and northern Baja California. Plants grow on dry slopes and washes, and prefer areas that have just been burned. They occur in these regions up to 1800 m.

This poppy prefers fast draining soils but will grow well in clay soil if there is little to no water after it is established. It has a pH tolerance from 6 to 8 and a rainfall tolerance of 31 to 90 cm. This bush also prefers to be in full sun.

References

• Jepson Manual treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• Flora of North America
• Photo gallery