Welcome to
California Nature Art!
Our goal is to spread the beauty of all
the Nature in California.
From the flowers in the desert to the sea California is filled with so much beauty. We want our customers to transform our beautiful photos onto canvas or coffee cups or pillows easily. Bring this beauty into your home. Our products are high quality and unforgettable. Check the site for updates and additional photos! Our promise to you is to give you the best customer service ever and to deliver beauty into your home!
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Poppies – Colorful, Imaginative Flowers of the World and California
Poppies are among the world’s most popular flower, rivalling roses for variety, color, popularity and more importantly, many are easy to grow. There are over 100 poppy varieties with more being created constantly. Some of them are self-seeding, making them capable of filling tracts of soil without human intervention. Other poppies are not easy to grow, so the gardener can pick and choose the level of challenge desired. Warning: Most poppies are toxic to humans and animals because of alkaloid compounds.
The poppy that produces narcotics is only one variety — Papaver somniferum. The narcotic substance is in the milky liquid that is extracted from its unripe seed pod.
The nonnarcotic seeds are also used in baking and other culinary uses.
However, the other hundred-plus of varieties of poppies are decorative and non-narcotic – as benign as other colorful, ornamental flowers.
Many poppy varieties have delicate, crepe-paper-like petals that cover the rainbow, with hues of orange, light purple, cream, pink, red, yellow, blue, gray and even one called “Danish Flag” which is white in the center, with a white cross surrounded by an orange bowl – reminiscent of the New Mexico state icon. Of course, our favorite is the orange California Poppy, our state’s official flower and an indication that spring has come to Southern California.
Oriental poppy flowers can grow to be very large — 9 to 10 inches in diameter and are hardy, able to withstand winters’ colder temperatures. With all of the colors and shapes to choose from, a short investigation of poppy varieties stimulates the gardener’s imagination for creating a peaceful, beautiful environment in which to relax and daydream.
How the California Poppy Became California’s Official State Flower
The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) became the state flower of California through a combination of its natural beauty, cultural significance, and popular support. Here’s how it happened:
- Natural Habitat and Abundance: The California poppy is native to the state and grows abundantly in many areas, particularly during the springtime when its vibrant orange blooms carpet hillsides and fields – especially in Southern California.
- Rising Popularity: During the late 19th century, the California poppy gained popularity among Californians for its beauty and resilience. Its ability to thrive in the state’s climate and its striking appearance made it a beloved symbol of California’s natural landscape.
- Campaign for State Flower: In the early 1900s, various groups and individuals began advocating for the California poppy to be designated as the state flower. One notable advocate was Sarah Allen Plummer, a civic leader and educator, who campaigned vigorously for its official recognition.
- Legislative Action: In 1903, the California State Floral Society conducted a statewide vote to determine the most popular flower to represent California. The California poppy won by a significant margin, demonstrating its widespread appeal among residents.
- Official Designation: Shortly after the popular vote, the California Legislature officially designated the California poppy as the state flower in 1903. This decision was further reinforced by a legislative resolution in 1907.
- Symbolic Meaning: The California poppy symbolizes the beauty of the state’s landscapes and its resilience, as it can bloom even in harsh conditions. It has since become an iconic emblem of California’s natural heritage and is celebrated in various cultural and artistic representations.
To summarize: The California poppy became the state flower of California due to its native status, widespread popularity among residents, and its representation of the state’s natural beauty and resilience.