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Get ready to celebrate the vibrant and beautiful California Poppy on April 6 for California Poppy Day! This day was established in 1903 by the California State Floral Society to honor this iconic state flower. Also known as Eschscholzia californica, these bright orange flowers can be found all over California and are a symbol of resilience and survival. They were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes and have since become a popular addition to gardens and landscapes. So let's take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous bloom and all that it represents on California Poppy Day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1816</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Discovery of the California Poppy</div><div class='timeline-text'>The California Poppy was first scientifically described by naturalist Adelbert von Chamisso during a global scientific voyage.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1890</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Recognition as State Flower</div><div class='timeline-text'>The California Poppy was chosen as the state flower due to its wide presence and stunning appeal across California.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1903</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First California Poppy Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The California State Floral Society established April 6 as California Poppy Day to honor this iconic state flower.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1926</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve was established, granting people an opportunity to observe a spectacular bloom of California Poppies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Massive Poppy Bloom</div><div class='timeline-text'>An unusually wet season in 2018 resulted in a massive bloom of California Poppies, known as a Super Bloom, which attracted visitors from across the world.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plant a poppy garden</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate California Poppy Day by planting some beautiful California poppies in your garden. These vibrant orange flowers are the state flower of California and will add a burst of color to your yard.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a poppy hike</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and go on a hike to see the wild California poppies in bloom. Many state parks and nature reserves offer guided hikes specifically to see these stunning flowers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a poppy-themed picnic</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Pack a picnic basket full of delicious California-inspired foods, such as avocado toast or fish tacos, and head to a park with fields of blooming California poppies. Enjoy your meal surrounded by the beautiful flowers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a poppy festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many cities in California hold festivals in honor of the state flower. Attend one of these festivals to learn more about the history and significance of the California poppy and to see them in all their glory.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make poppy crafts</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get crafty and make some poppy-themed decorations for your home or office. You can create paper poppies, paint ceramic poppy pots, or even make a wreath out of dried poppy flowers.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day to celebrate California's state flower</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>California Poppy Day is the perfect opportunity to appreciate and learn more about California's beautiful state flower. It's a symbol of resilience and beauty, and has been an important part of California's history for centuries.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a reminder of the importance of preserving nature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The California Poppy is just one of many species that are at risk due to human activity. By celebrating California Poppy Day, we can raise awareness about the need to protect and preserve our natural environment for future generations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a chance to get outdoors and enjoy nature</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>What better way to celebrate California Poppy Day than by taking a hike through fields of wildflowers? It's a great excuse to spend some time outside, appreciate the beauty of nature, and maybe even snap some photos with these vibrant flowers as the backdrop.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>California Poppies Can Suspend Growth in Adverse Conditions</h3><p class='facts-content'>These resilient flowers have the ability to suspend their growth during drought or adverse weather conditions, resuming when conditions are favorable again, ensuring their survival.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>California Poppy Is a Member of the Papaveraceae Family</h3><p class='facts-content'>Belonging to the same family as opium poppy, the California Poppy does not produce opium and is a perfect example of diversity within plant families.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>It's Illegal to Pick California Poppies on State and County Public Lands</h3><p class='facts-content'>To preserve this symbol of California's natural beauty, it is illegal to pick, dig or destroy California Poppy on public lands. Exceptions are made on private property with the owner's consent.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>California Poppies Come in Various Shades</h3><p class='facts-content'>Known for their vibrant orange color, California Poppies can also be found in shades of pink, cream, yellow and red. The 'Mission Bells' strain of the poppy displays a spectrum of warm colors.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>California Poppy Teas Were Used for Sedative Purposes</h3><p class='facts-content'>Native American tribes, like the Costanoan, Mendocino and Ohlone tribes, created relaxant teas from the California Poppy to help with sleep issues and anxiety, showcasing it early use in herbal medicine.</p></div></div>
California Poppy Day is celebrated on April 6 every year. In 2024, California Poppy Day will fall on a Saturday.
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