A large white poppy growing in the parking strip along Brinkerhoff in late July.

• As big as a saucer, and with that fried egg look, they are Matlija Poppies
• Romneya coulteri and Romneya trichocalyx are the only species in the genus. Native to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties
• They produce the largest flowers in the Poppy family.
• Popular with gardeners in England and elsewhere. There are a few named varieties. Hard to get started in Santa Barbara gardens, but very sturdy when established.
• Another local native, Carpinteria californica, or ‘Bush anemone’ has a similar but smaller flower. They are in different plant families