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Eschscholzia californica
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Eschscholzia californica.
Common name: California Poppy.
Plant: 5-60cm tall. Somewhat glaucous, freely-branched, erect to spreading annual or perennial.
Leaves: Several times ternately dissected into rounded, lobed segments.
Flower: Solitary on long stems, silky-textured, with four petals, each petal 2-6 cm long and broad.
Fruit: Slender capsule 3-9cm long, which splits in two to release the numerous small black or dark brown seeds.
Native to grassy and open areas from sea level to 2,000m altitude in the western United States throughout California. The California poppy is the State Flower of California. It was selected as the state flower by the California State Floral Society on December 12, 1890. The nominationes included the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the Mariposa lily (Calochortus), and the Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri). Within the USA, it is also recognized as a potentially invasive species.
California poppy leaves were used medicinally by Native Americans, and the pollen was used cosmetically. The seeds are used in cooking.
Extract from the California poppy acts as a mild sedative when smoked. The effect is far milder than that of opium, which contains a different class of alkaloids.
The Californian poppy is a bitter sedative herb that acts as a diuretic, relieves pain, relaxes spasms and promotes perspiration. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and dried for use in tinctures and infusions. It is taken internally in the treatment of nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and incontinence (especially in children). The watery sap is mildly narcotic and has been used to relieve toothache. It is similar in its effect to the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) but is much milder in its action and does not depress the central nervous system. Another report says that it has a markedly different effect upon the central nervous system, that it is not a narcotic but tends to normalize psychological function. Its gently antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic actions make it a valuable herbal medicine for treating physical and psychological problems in children. It may also prove beneficial in attempts to overcome bedwetting, difficulty in sleeping and nervous tension and anxiety. An extract of the root is used as a wash on the breasts to suppress the flow of milk in lactating females.
The Honey Bee is perhaps Apis cerana. Some zoologist friend may please confirm. |
XOTAELE, jpdenk, mesquens, marhowie, anel has marked this note useful
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Hola Nirmal.
Una amapola de California,con un visitante y unos tonos preciosos.
Buen encuadre, excelente nitidez y buenos detalles.
Saludos, JL.
- lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 993 W: 6 N: 2650]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(9869) - [2008-05-03 9:01]
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Hi Nirmal,what a fantastic colours this flowers!Excellent quality,perfect sharpenss,not easy to take so perfectly,my best compliments,Luciano
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- jpdenk
(1070)
- [2008-05-04 7:49]
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Hello Nirmal,
An excellent note and a beautiful photo. I didn't realize that this plant had been introduced and is growing in the wild in India. How common is it there?
Thanks,
John
Hi Nirmal,
Beautiful flower + beautiful bee= Great shot.
Very good job, my friend
Raimundo
Lovely colors and light Nirmal!
I like it :)
Howard
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- anel
(8279)
- [2008-05-05 0:19]
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Hello Nirmal,
Very fine picture of the little bee on an Californian poppy. I like the soft colour-tones of the picture. Excellent sharpness on the bee.Amazing leaves!
Very pleasant picture
Best regards
Anne
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1360 W: 56 N: 964]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(8)![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5745 W: 1225 N: 10569]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(34529)