Chicalote

This short lived perennial prickly poppy grows 3.5 – 5 ft. tall and displays flowers with crinkly white petals and a dense ring of yellow stamens bearing abundant pollen in the center. The flowers appear at the end of summer atop erect, spiny stems with mint-green leaves that are also quite prickly.

This species is widespread throughout desert habitats of south western and eastern California. In gardens around the Bay Area, it grows best in rocky areas with full sun.

This plant is a larval host for several moth species, but it is poisonous to humans and animals, so be sure that no pets or kiddos try to nibble it!

Lifeform: Perennial

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Gravel, Rocky

Other: Attracts Moths, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant