"The golden poppy has been the official state flower for 120 years, the second state symbol California ever adopted. So how did it achieve such esteemed status?" https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/02/us/california-state-flower-golden-poppy.html #CAPoppies #CANativePlants #Superbloom

I passed this seed on the road earlier thinking it was a fresh oak gall someone had knocked off. When I realized it was a buckeye seed, I picked it up on the way back. The photo still makes my hand look bigger than it is in relation to the seed. I could not close my hand around this seed and hide it entirely.

#CANativePlants #botany #California #SeedySunday

Because CA has such a great climate for so many introduced plants, most Californians aren't that familiar with CA native species. That's improving, but still I didn't know Aesculus californica until I moved to Davis in my 50s. This seed is hyuge! I was only able to guess the species from context.

#CANativePlants #botany #California #SeedySunday