prairie shrub
Coulter's matilija poppy
Romneya coulteri
1 of 2Native to California
Southern California from San Ana Mountains to San Diego county
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 8 ft to 2.4 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie shrub for full sun and lean, dry soil. At up to 8 ft, it needs room in meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Fiery Skipper also Gray Hairstreak, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper
- Beetles Asian Lady Beetle also Convergent Lady Beetle, Acmaeodera prorsa
- Bees Western Carpenter Bee also Valley Carpenter Bee
- Also visited by
- Moths: Southern Purple Mint Moth
- Flower flies: Oblique Streaktail
- Birds: Hooded Oriole
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Dainty sulphurnectar
- Eastern tiger swallowtailnectar
- Fiery skippernectar
- Gray hairstreaknectar
- Western tiger swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern California from San Ana Mountains to San Diego countyThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Dry, rocky or sandy soilThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 8 ft (to 2.4 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.