Cream Cups

cream cups

California Cream Cups

Platystemon californicus

Like sunshine, these brighten the well drained hillsides and road banks of our area. About 6 -12 inches in height they grow in small clumps but, in a good year, they form small waves of color spreading over the meadows. These are not self pollinating and require bees or wind which probably explains why the blooms are so delicately perched on long fragile stems that tremble in the tiniest breath of air. This, plus their bright shiny white and yellow petals, make them difficult to photograph.

Variations on this joyous little plant mostly grow along the coast all the way from Northern Mexico into Oregon but can range into Utah and Arizona. It blooms from March to May but in the hills here tends to open its blossoms in late April.

Daily Photo Lucky #13

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7 Comments
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mjean1
Guest
mjean1
15 years ago

I wonder if these are related to the buttercups of your Grandmother’s childhood memories?

Staff
Member
15 years ago

They are a member of the poppy family and have the same shiny petals as buttercups and poppies so maybe. . .

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
15 years ago

More beautiful yellow flowers! I haven’t ever noticed these before.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

They mostly grow in the hills. You wouldn’t see them where you are.

Sandi
Guest
15 years ago

Those are so pretty! I can’t say that I’ve ever seen these before but I will certainly be on the lookout.

Ernie's Place
Guest
15 years ago

Well I found my first “White Poppy” today, and I took a photo as evidence, but the photo didn’t turn out as good as I wanted, so I’m going to try again.

I wonder how rare a white poppy is? It must be something like one in a million, because when there is one in a field they really stand out. So they must be rare. This one was a very pale cream color, but it looks white mixed in with all the orange and yellow poppies.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Sandi, They are one of my husband’s favorites and they are exquisite little things. They can sweep in creamy swaths across the meadows up here (though it’s been a few years since conditions were ripe for that).

Ernie, The only white poppies I have seen have been commercial varieties. I’m looking forward to seeing one that is ‘natural.”