California Poppy Eschschoizia californica

California Poppy Eschschoizia californica

California Poppy is easy to grow from seed as an annual, and will tolerate hot, dry conditions. It will thrive with some moisture and part shade. It is an attractive flower, with finely dissected blue-grey-green foliage and small, pretty orange flowers. California Poppy is the state flower for California. California poppy does not contain opium, nor does it have the same addictive qualities as opium. However, the herb is used in herbal medicine as a milder remedy for many of the same conditions; it has anodyne and tranquilizing properties. It is said that instead of causing the psychological problems known to opium poppies, it is mentally stabilizing. It is often used in the form of a tincture, because the infusion is bitter. The tincture is made from the above ground parts, harvested during the flowering period. As a remedy, California poppy should not be used prior to driving or any other task that requires full attention until the user is familiar with its effects.