(3 photos) We’ve been seeing this fabulous flower on our walks in the San Bernardino National Forest, and we’ve been calling it the fried egg flower. That would be a fried ostrich egg, not a fried chicken egg. These flowers are really huge.
These California natives are Matilija Poppies. They’re also called the “Queen of California Flowers” according to the California Native Plant Society.
“large white blooms are the size of a saucer … reach 5 to 8 feet tall and spread by underground stems … only found in a few locations in California (I’ve not seen them in Angeles National Forest, just in San Bernardino National Forest) … Seeds will not germinate unless they have experienced the flash heat of wild fire.”
Behind the ranger station where we walk the dogs is a large California native garden. There’s a huge grove of these poppies with thousands of buds. I will return in a few days to see if the blossoms have opened. Can’t wait!
MK pix 
My goodness, MK! The flower looks like it is made of white crepe paper! The photos are so clear I feel as if I can almost reach out and touch the petals! Wow! Cher xo
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Too bad I only had my cell phone – they deserve better. Yes, on the California Native Plant Society website, that’s exactly how they’re described — as if made of white crepe paper.
Thanks Cher.
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Well the photos are wonderful, MK! LOL I am in sync with the California Native Plant Society’s interpretation, then! 🙂 Cher xo
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We have a similar plant in our garden, and the blossom is called the ‘fried egg flower’. It’s chicken-egg size and I’m not sure of its real name.
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How interesting that it’s called “fried egg flower” there too. Shared cuisine background, huh? I bet it’s every bit as beautiful as these. So cheerful!
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It looks like it’s made out of crepe paper. So incredibly beautiful. Hard to believe it’s real.
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Apparently the blossoms are around only in late spring/early summer, so I am really lucky to see them and have them so close to home. They’re real show-stoppers.
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Oh, it does look like a fried egg! What a cool flower.
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Yes, a really really fresh egg with that bright yellow center. Large enough to share a breakfast! And nearby are the sage-smelling plants. And a grape arbor with itty-bitty grapes. You can see what’s on my mind.
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What a cool find, M! A very large fried egg, indeed. Interesting that it is adapted as a fire flower, so with fire suppression, there probably are fewer of them. I expect that the bees will love all that pollen. 🙂
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We’re so lucky that there are TWO national forests practically in our back yard. This forest, with the Matilija Poppy, is the same forest where I took the photo of the charred tree skeletons a few posts back. You’re right, the bees are blissed out in that garden.
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Great flower, no pun intended. Hope you’re able to get that picture of the grove when they start to bloom.
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I’ll be calling the forest ranger station to make sure I don’t miss the bloom. And I’ll bring my good camera and hope for a few clouds. Those blossoms are really really white.
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If you have to deal with bright sun just try under exposing like crazy. Much easier to correct that than overexposure. Good luck.
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Thanks David!!!! I’m going to do what you suggest. In fact, I even hope it’s sunny on the next try.
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Sounds like you’ve found a truly great spot for dog walks. Very nice shot. Waiting for the grove shot.
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This is the dogs’ favorite walking spot. After walking the trail we make a couple of passes through the California Native garden and the dogs don’t mind at all.
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They do look like eggs, don’t they? Cool shot
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I think you’d be out here all day, Chris. So much to see, large & small. I keep saying I’m going to return without the dogs so I can give it my full attention. But those sad doggy eyes…
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What an amazing poppy MK! Fried egg indeed!
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There’s one after another, like a beauty pageant where everyone wins first place.
Thanks Val.
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Love it!
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They are beautiful 🙂 I hope you post a photo when the whole field blooms 🙂
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I’m headed back soon, and my first stop will be the poppy zone.
Thanks Sonia
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That is a beautiful flower. I’ve lived in San Bernardino for over a year now and haven’t gone to there but I really think I should.
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