California poppy

noun

: any of a genus (Eschscholzia) of herbs of the poppy family
especially : one (E. californica) widely cultivated for its usually yellow or orange flowers

Examples of California poppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yes, in addition to the California poppy, California redwood, grizzly bear, and garibaldi fish, the pallid bat and the golden chanterelle are now official state symbols. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024 Hey, gardeners: Jim Horacek, the manager of the Armstrong Garden Centers location in Del Mar, said Tuesday and Wednesday are good days to plant seeds for California poppies. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2023 Strolling the wide, shaded Mar Vista Avenue is a respite from busy Lake Avenue, and cedars and cypresses tower above pollinator gardens full of black sage and California poppies. Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2023 Every field and yard is awash in the yellow/gold of the California poppy. Helen Li, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2023 Bees are particularly attracted to bee balm, echinacea, snapdragon, and hostas, as well as a number of other wildflowers like California poppies and evening primrose. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 28 July 2023 Depending on the region, California poppies, sand verbena, desert sunflowers, evening primrose, popcorn flowers or desert lilies could be growing. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2023 Depending on the area, visitors might see California poppies, sand verbena, desert sunflowers, evening primrose, popcorn flowers or desert lilies. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2023 Yarrow, Erigeron, and Eschscholzia spice things up around the perimeter, adding a bit more diversity and visual interest than just a blanket of California poppies. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 9 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'California poppy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California poppy was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near California poppy

Cite this Entry

“California poppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20poppy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

California poppy

noun
: any of a genus of herbs related to the poppies and including one widely grown for its usually yellow or orange flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on California poppy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!