Rank Species | Genus Arctomecon Higher classification Arctomecon | |
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Similar Arctomecon, Arctomecon merriamii, Papaveraceae, Arctomecon humilis, Enceliopsis argophylla | ||
Arctomecon californica is a species of poppy known by several common names, including California bearpoppy, Las Vegas bearpoppy, golden bearpoppy, and yellow-flowered desert poppy.
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Distribution
Arctomecon californica is native to the eastern Mojave Desert: in areas around Las Vegas, Nevada such as Tule Springs; the Lake Mead area; and in extreme northwestern Arizona. It is also known from a single location in Washington County, southwestern Utah.
Description
Arctomecon californica is a Perennial herb found in Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) habitats, in barren shales, at 500–1,000 metres (1,600–3,300 ft) in elevation.
The plant flowers in mid spring with deep yellow petals from large buds on tall 1-3 feet branching inflorescences. Fruiting occurs in early summer.
