Chumash for Showy

Blowsy and fragrant

Summer’s heat has definitely arrived, making mid-day a time for retreat. In an effort at avoiding the heat’s post-lunch arrival (and overbearing presence til’ sundown) we did all our running around early today. While driving through the UCR campus on its east perimeter roadway, we came upon the delightful sight above: tons of Matilija poppies in bloom. Named by the Chumash, a Native American tribe who inhabited the central and southern coastal areas of California, I couldn’t help but think Matilija was their word for “showy”. Truly spectacular, these plants stood more than 6-feet tall, and were absolutely awash in large blooms almost 8-inches across. Sometimes called fried egg poppies because of their ruffly, white petals and yolk-yellow puffball centers, these UCR poppies are not yet the largest they can be; established plants can produce blooms that measure a foot across. Still, being next to such tall, profuse plants was exciting …

Lotsa blossoms

… and the ol’ hipstamatic iphone app had to come out. Standing in the not-yet-deadly late-morning sun and breathing in the unexpected scent of dozens of these flouncy poppies, I can’t help but be a little sad. Their blooming season will end soon, and  Summer’s full flame will ensure that eggs will fry on sidewalks rather than perch prettily on stems.