Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Papaveraceae

Genus:

Arctomecon

Species:

Arctomecon californica

USDA Symbol:

ARCA4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

white, cream

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

bees, native pollinators

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil

pH:

7.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to very dry

Notes:

native to desert regions, prefers calcareous soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination and should be surface-sown. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI