In 1890, Romneya coulteri was nominated along with two other flowers to be the state flower of California. When the votes were counted, it lost rather handily.
I suppose I wouldn't have voted for something that some people call the “fried-egg flower”, either. Most people, though, refer to it as Matilija poppy. I prefer this latter name, because I think it's a beauty; I'd rather not think of a breakfast diner when I admire it.
Romneya coulteri has the largest flower of any plant native to California, according to Calflora.net. Considering that the California floristic province is a biodiversity hotspot, that's an impressive little factoid.
I love the photos, but could you back off a little so we can see the whole flower?
thanks for all the info
/char
Thanks for posting this image...this is a plant that deserves to be better known. I've got one of these plants growing in my garden and I just had my first bloom.With its 4" pure white poppies tipping sweeping branches clothed in green-grey "oak-like" leaves, it makes a striking specimen indeed.
I love the CLOSE UP shots! Incredible clarity and detail. It gives a fresh and intimate perspective on the blossoms. I look forward to each day's new picture.
THANKS!
Don't sell yourself so short. I think this is an incredible picture of a beautiful flower. I appreciate this web site at least you are doing something positive and not negative. I enjoy the wonderful pictures that you post on this web site. Never mind what people say. Mr Mosquin may God bless you and may his grace be upon you for creating this web site. Thank you for giving me something that I look forward to seeing everyday
Thanks, Mrs. Lubin
Char - that's not the first time someone has suggested that I take more “specimen” shots (see palmer's comments here). What's interesting is that from my perspective, I've been making a conscious effort to give a broader perspective (I like the challenge!). Occasionally, though, something comes up that is too delicious to pass up as a macro.
In the past, I have photographed this plant from a more distant perspective, if you'd like to check them out. Another handy way to see whole flower photographs is to do a Google Image Search for Romneya coulteri.
In any case, thanks for your suggestion. I won't stop posting the occasional macro, but I can perhaps continue to do more “double-up” entries with two photos, one macro and one specimen or habitat.
Matt, I did check out where this plant is used in cultivation. I came up with mainly California, some in the UK, and not much else. I agree with your sentiment, though - it does deserve to be better known.
txtalk and parthenia - thanks for the kind comments and sentiments.
For learning more about botany, the close up shots are incredibly helpful, as well as beautiful. Keep up the great work!
Daniel:
Matt here. I live in southern Washington State and I got my speciman from a local nursery. I had to wait over a year after ordering it. This is a difficult species to propagate- it involves burning pine needles on top of the seeds. Romneya is from fire-prone southern California chaparral, so this is not suprising. I first encountered this plant at a park in Medford, OR and immediately fell in love with it. Interestingly, the cultivated version is actually a hybrid between R. coulteri and the closely related R. trichocalyx.
i really enjoy your photos, they always make me smile! ive just become a bamboo fanatic, so i need the diversion. thanks for sharing the beauty.
As always, stunning photography!
One of my neighbours has scads of these huge white beauties. I take daily walks past her house, just to see them in bloom.
Can one grow Romneya Coulteri from seeds? If so yes, do you know where I could get them?
Is there any particular way to collect and seed them to be successful?
Cheers,
Ed
Greetings,
I have a clear picture of this here:
http://www.kumeyaay.info/sanjosedelazorra/indigenous_plant.html
Love the photo. What nursery in Washington would sell this amazing plant?
Hi Diana,
We've a Sourcing Plants forum on the UBC Botanical Garden Forums - I would prefer if the question was asked there, if possible.
I live in Southern California and would like to know where I can purchase this beautiful plant. Please help!!!
Thanks.
dolci, please see the comment immediately above yours.
I'm told that soaking the seeds for a few hours in unleaded gasoline, letting them dry, then sowing is the best way to get germination. I tried this, got germination, then somehow killed the seedlings. I plan to try again.
I like the photo, but my questoin is: Where can I buy this plant in Holland
Greetings Annie Voets
Hi Annie - that's a better question for the UBC Botanical Garden Forums (in the Sourcing Plants forum - you need to register to access it).
I had many of these fried eggs in my garden until the workmen dumped a load of rubbish on the flower bed.Thought they were lost but managed
to transplant to another part of the garden,where more by luck than judgement,I have 2 stems growing,one has flowered already,the other is hanging on in there.I live in Kent,England,is it unusual for them to grow in this country ?? regards Jerry
I love the photo of the Romneya and have a plant in my garden in North-West England. I grew one many years ago but it died eventually. I bought my most recent plant from Hopley's Garden centre in Hertfordshire for around £10. There is another Romneya with larger flowers by the name of:- R.Hybrida 'White Cloud' but it may be difficult to get hold of.I have done a watercolour painting of Romneyas which has pride of place in my home. I alsp take Macro photos along with hundreds of other flower photos with my digital camera. Keep up the good work. Irene B.
What a beautiful poppy! The intimacy of this close view, and all that ruffled whiteness, reminds me of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting.