Papaver heterophyllum, Wind Poppy

Wind Poppies are one of the stunning wildflowers that make an appearance following a fire. The flowers are distinctly different from California Poppy. The 4 bright red-orange petals are crinkly with dark centers. Wind poppies prefer an environment with low moisture and well-drained soil in part shade. A good choice for oak understory planting or a grassland. Annual, gets 1-2 ft.

In the wild it is found in foothill area of the Sierras and Coast Ranges from the Bay area to San Diego. It was formerly included in the genus Stylomecon heterophylla, but it has been reclassified to the Papaver genus.