Closely related to the orange California-poppy, official flower of the
Golden State, the desert species is a bright yellow annual. Following
warm, wet winters clusters of these glorious blooms dot the hillsides in
late February or early March. By April they may cover the slopes with a
blanket of gold interwoven with the blue threads of lupines and purple
patches of escobita owlclover. When other early spring vegetation is
scarce, cattle graze the plants. Flowers open only during sunny hours,
remaining tightly closed at night and on cloudy days.
_Eschscholtzia mexicana_ Poppy Family
[Illustration: MEXICAN GOLDPOPPY]