Bearpoppy's Bounty

California or Las Vegas Bearpoppy: (Arctomecon californica) Flowers: Blooms March - May. Flower stems several per plant; branched. Flowers yellow and large, with 6 petals. Seeds: Fruits are oval seed pods that mature & open before the end of June. Seeds: tiny, black and numerous. Habitat: Restricted to the eroded, GYPSUM-rich soils (gypsum content of 36 to 69%) near Lake Mead, Nevada. Referred to at the "Gypsum Barren Community." GYPSUM (or Selenite) is classified as a 'Hydrated Calcium Sulfate,' associated with a 'saline sedimentary environment.' Processed just west of Las Vegas, it's USED as plaster, wallboard(sheetrock), some cements, fertilizer, paint filler and decorative stone. -Photo taken inside Lovell Canyon near Lake Mead, Nevada (March 2008)