Cream Cup
Platystemon californicus
Platystemon californiacus - Poppy
Cream Cup is a soft, cheerful wildflower that adds gentle splashes of pale yellow and white to the springtime desert and coastal hillsides of California. Though small, its delicate charm makes it a favorite among wildflower watchers.
Appearance:
A low-growing annual, usually 2 to 8 inches tall. It forms a small, spreading patch of narrow, fuzzy leaves. The flowers have 6 petals—creamy white to pale yellow—and a bright yellow center. Some blooms may show subtle streaks or tinges of orange or green.
Habitat:
Found in sandy or loose soils, desert flats, grassy fields, and open hillsides. Though common in coastal California, it also shows up in parts of the Mojave Desert and other dry, open places.
Bloom Time:
Blooms from March to May, depending on rainfall and location.
Pollinators:
Attracts small bees and insects. Its open flowers offer easy access to pollen.
Note:
Cream Cup is delicate but determined—thriving in both dry inland areas and coastal hills. Its pale flowers often grow alongside goldfields, poppies, and other spring bloomers, creating soft, sunlit displays across the landscape.