POPPIES! What would a California Springtime be without hillsides ablaze in gold? An intensely simple flower the botanical name is from the Latin Papaver - the field or corn poppy Papaver rhoeas, takes its name from the Greek rhoaes, possibly from the root rho ( red ).

The dried petals of the corn poppy contain a soothing substance that the Ancients used medicinally, but it is not comparable to the milky latex of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, which has been known medicinally for centuries.

The actual seeds of the opium poppy are not narcotic and their dark seeds are used widely in bread and cakes - think of poppyseed rolls. It is quite legal to buy the white seeds of Papaver somniferum in the US. but it is technically illegal to grow poppies from them. 

Another garden poppy is the apricot colored Iceland poppy or Papaver nudicaule, which many garden nurseries sell beginning in late December. These Poppies are quite easy to grow and repeat bloom throughout Spring.

The variety Eschscholiza californica often seen in cottage gardens don't like being transplanted once rooted. Their seeds have to be scattered where they will grow and they reseed themselves year after year. Their enduring return annually gives the rolling hills of California visual vibrance. A "Golden State" in bloom - such  lore of a Western region plant.