Matilija poppy

Scientific name: Romneya coulteri
Common names: Matilija poppy; tree poppy
Native range: Limited to southern California and northern Baja, see range map!
More information: See this entry at efloras.org; also Wikipedia entry.

I noticied these blooming for the first time just this last week, near the intersection of Street of the Golden Lantern and Crown Valley Parkway, on the border of Dana Point and Laguna Niguel.

They are truly eye-catching!

I wouldn't have immediately recognized them if it weren't for the unbelievably realistic illustrations of A.R. Valentien, the early 20th century painter whose California plant portraits makes me want to own all of them and stare at them for hours!

See Valentien's illustration of the Matilija poppy. Other Valentien illustrations can be found here.