Matilija Poppy is a California native with the largest flowers of any native California plant—up to 9 inches across—with crinkled white petals and a golden center of hundreds of stamens. It is known as the 'fried egg flower.' It grows in dry canyons and disturbed areas in southern California and Baja and spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes after fire.
Habitat
Dry canyons, chaparral burns, and disturbed slopes of southern California
Diet
Pollen collected by large native bees; flowers attract beetles and bees
How common
Uncommon
Recent Matilija Poppy sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Matilija Poppy? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free