Platystemon californicus
Benth.
Californian poppy, Creamcups
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Summary
Source: WikipediaAn annual plant growing to 0.3 m tall by 0.1 m wide with hermaphrodite flowers. Present in leaf from May to October and flowering June to August. Wind-pollinated. Hardy to UK zone 8. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Requires full sun and prefers moist conditions.
Description
An annual poppy. It can be erect or spreading. It grows 30 cm high and spreads 10 cm wide. The leaves are arranged in rings. They are narrow and oblong and 8 cm long. The flowers are open and have 6 petals. The stamen are prominent. The flowers can be cream or yellow. The flowers occur singly on short, hairy stems.
Edible Uses
Leaves are cooked and used as greens.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are eaten as greens.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It grows on the fringes of the desert. It grows in open grassy areas. It needs a sunny position. It needs a well-drained soil. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.
Where It Grows
Australia, Britain, Europe, North America, USA,
Cultivation
Succeeds in a sunny position in most soils. A highly polymorphic species, it is considered by some botanists to be an aggregate species of up to 60 segregates. The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in spring or early autumn.
Other Uses
None known Special Uses Scented Plants
Notes
There is possibly only one very variable Platystemon species.
References (8)
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
- Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 809
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1059
- Heywood, V.H., Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A., and Seberg, O. 2007, Flowering Plant Families of the World. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. p 241
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 419
Show all 8 references Hide references
- Morley, B. & Everard, B., 1970, Wild Flowers of the World. Ebury press. Plate 154
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Trans. Hort. Soc. London ser. 2, 1:405. 1834
