Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 17, 2026

Romneya

Romneya is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the poppy family (Papaveraceae). There are two species in the genus Romneya, which was named after the Irish astronomer John Thomas Romney Robinson; the first discovered species R. coulteri commemorates Romney Robinson's close friendship with the Irish botanist Thomas Coulter. They are known commonly as Matilija poppies, bush poppies, California poppies, or tree poppies. The common name "Matilija" is said to come from the Chumash leader, Chief Matilija. They are also known as the "fried egg flower" or the "fried egg plant" due to their bright yellow stamen, which creates the image of a sunny-side-up egg. They are native to chaparral and coastal scrub habitats in Southern California and Baja California.

Last revised
Jun 17, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Matilija poppy
Matilija poppy flower and flower bud.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Subfamily: Papaveroideae
Tribe: Papavereae
Genus: Romneya
Harv.
Species

Romneya is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the poppy family (Papaveraceae). There are two species in the genus Romneya, which was named after the Irish astronomer John Thomas Romney Robinson; the first discovered species R. coulteri commemorates Romney Robinson's close friendship with the Irish botanist Thomas Coulter.12 They are known commonly as Matilija poppies (/məˈtɪlɪhɑː/ mə-TIL-i-hah), bush poppies, California poppies, or tree poppies.3 The common name "Matilija" is said to come from the Chumash leader, Chief Matilija. They are also known as the "fried egg flower" or the "fried egg plant" due to their bright yellow stamen, which creates the image of a sunny-side-up egg.4 They are native to chaparral and coastal scrub habitats in Southern California and Baja California.5

They are perennial subshrubs with woody stems. They may grow to a height of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) and a width of 1 m (39 in), with the flowers up to 13 cm (5.1 in) across. The silvery green leaves are deeply cut, with a small fringe of hairs at the margins.

They are notable for their large, satiny white flowers and intense boss of yellow stamens, blooming in late spring and summer.6 Their thin white petals have a satiny crepe-like texture. Romneya produce the largest flowers of any members of the poppy family.7 These flowers prefer a warm, sunny spot against a south-facing wall with fertile soil with good water drainage.89 They are not easily grown but once established are difficult to remove. In the wild, they are known as "fire followers" because they need smoke to germinate10 and can be frequently, but not exclusively, found in burned areas.11 When these flowers are grown on a hillside, they can act as a soil binder and prevent erosion.5 Matilija poppies were reportedly used medicinally by the Chumash to treat skin and gum problems, and stomach aches.12

Matilija poppy at Strybing Arboretum, San Francisco source ↗

The two species are:

  • Romneya coulteri Harv. – Coulter's Matilija poppy
  • Romneya trichocalyx Eastw. – Bristly Matilija poppy. Some consider this a variety of Romneya coulteri, but it is accepted in recent manuals.
References

References

  1. Harvey, William Henry (1845). "Description of a New Genus of Papaveraceae, detected by the late Dr. Coulter, in California". The London Journal of Botany. 4. William Jackson Hooker: 73–76. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  2. Jepson Manual Treatment
  3. "Romneya coulteri | Californian tree poppy Herbaceous Perennial/RHS". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  4. Gutierrez, Mary (2013), Matilija Poppy. In Northwest Garden News, online edition. accessed 5 July 2013.
  5. "Matilija Poppy | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants". animals.sandiegozoo.org. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  6. "Matilija Poppy". ANR Blogs. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  7. Flora of North America
  8. Lack, Andrew (2016-11-15). Poppy. Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-78023-700-8.
  9. "Romneya coulteri | Californian tree poppy Herbaceous Perennial/RHS". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  10. "Plant of the Month Page". Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  11. Quinn, Ronald D. and Keeley, Sterling, C. (2006). Introduction to California Chaparral. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 145.
  12. "Plant of the Month Page". Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
External links