Family: Papaveraceae
Author: Benth.
Bibliography: Trans. Hort. Soc. London, ser. 2, 1: 405 (1834 publ. 1835)
Year: 1835
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Platystemon
Vegetable: False
Observations: SW. Oregon to Mexico (NW. Baja California, Sonora)
Description
The charming plant known as Cream-cups, scientifically named Platystemon californicus, is a captivating member of the Papaveraceae family. This annual herbaceous plant has drawn attention and admiration since its early documentation, with its initial description appearing in the Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London in the mid-19th century, thanks to the detailed work of the botanist Benth.
Cream-cups are distributed across a broad geographical range, from southwestern Oregon down to northwestern Baja California and extending into Sonora, Mexico. This distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various climates and terrains within these regions. Characterized by their delicate and enchanting cream-colored flowers, which often feature a subtle cup-like shape, Cream-cups thrive in open, sunny environments where they can bask in full daylight. These blossoms are not only visually appealing but also functionally significant within their ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity and beauty of their native habitats.
Botanical enthusiasts and ecologists alike appreciate Platystemon californicus for its resilience and its ethereal, understated beauty. The plant typically flourishes in spring, offering a ephemeral yet beautiful spectacle. The Cream-cups’ flowers are also known to attract a variety of pollinators, playing a crucial role in the natural pollination processes within their ecosystems.
In summary, Cream-cups are more than just a pretty face in the landscape; they are a vital component of the regions they inhabit. Their historical documentation and continued study exude a timeless charm, making them a continued subject of interest for botanists and nature lovers who value the intricate beauty and ecological importance of this delightful plant.
Common Names
Eng: cream-cups, creamcups
Swe: kaliforniavallmo
En: Cream-cups, Creamcups, California creamcups
Fi: Kalifornianunikko
Sv: Kaliforniavallmo
Synonyms
- Platystemon acutatus (Greene)
- Platystemon termini (Fedde)
- Platystemon microlobus (Greene)
- Platystemon verecundus (Greene)
- Platystemon nigricans (Greene)
- Platystemon crenatus (Greene)
- Boothia californica ((Benth.) Douglas ex Loudon)
- Platystemon californicus var. ornithopus ((Greene) Munz)
- Platystemon turbinatus (Greene)
- Platystemon obtectus (Greene)
- Platystemon emarginatus (Greene)
- Platystemon glyptolobus (Greene)
- Platystemon villosus (Greene)
- Platystemon pectinatus (Greene)
- Platystemon confinis (Greene)
- Platystemon heterander (Greene)
- Platystemon communis var. pilifer (Greene)
- Platystemon commixtus (Greene)
- Platystemon capsularis (Greene)
- Platystemon californicus var. linearis (Torr. & A.Gray)
- Platystemon proximus (Greene)
- Platystemon petrinus (Greene)
- Platystemon rigidulus (Greene)
- Platystemon horridulus (Greene)
- Platystemon quercetorum (Greene)
- Platystemon intermedius (Fedde)
- Platystemon leptander (Greene)
- Platystemon setosus (Greene)
- Platystemon californicus var. horridulus ((Greene) Jeps.)
- Platystemon mendocinus (Greene)
- Platystemon californicus var. capsularis (Brandegee)
- Platystemon californicus var. ciliatus (Dunkle)
- Platystemon australis (Greene)
- Platystemon arizonicus (Greene)
- Platystemon leiocarpus (Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)
- Platystemon anemonoides (Greene)
- Platystemon tessellatus (Greene)
- Platystemon subereus (Greene)
- Platystemon mohavensis (Greene)
- Platystemon californicus var. nutans (Brandegee)
- Platystemon tympanifer (Fedde)
- Platystemon contortus (Greene)
- Platystemon nutans (Greene)
- Platystemon obtectus var. sanctarum (Greene)
- Platystemon tortuosus (Greene)
- Platystemon crinitus (Greene)
- Platystemon ornithopus (Greene)
- Platystemon elegans (Greene)
- Platystemon verecundus var. glabrifructifer (Fedde)
- Platystemon penicillatus (Greene)
- Platystemon exsculptus (Greene)
- Platystemon communis var. stylosus (Greene)
- Platystemon aculeolatus (Greene)
- Platystemon hallii (Fedde)
- Platystemon communis (Greene)
- Platystemon cernuus (Greene)
- Platystemon californicus var. sphaerocarpus (Brandegee)
- Platystemon pilosellus (Greene)
- Platystemon hispidulus (Greene)
- Platystemon remotus (Greene)
- Platystemon hyacinthinus (Greene)
- Platystemon antoninus (Greene)
- Platystemon purpuratus (Greene)
- Platystemon sphaerocarpus (Greene)
- Platystemon leucanthus (Greene)
- Platystemon rugosus (Greene)
- Platystemon loesenerianus (Fedde)
- Platystemon californicus var. leiocarpus ((Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) Torr. & A.Gray)
- Platystemon californicus var. crinitus ((Greene) Greene)
- Platystemon arvorum (Greene)
Distribution
- Arizona (native)
- California (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Nevada (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Utah (native)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Zylstra, J. (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 2, 2010 by EOL − Eliza Maher Hasselquist (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 6, 2014 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 6, 2014 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 19, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 13, 2016 by EOL − Neil Frakes (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 13, 2016 by EOL − Neil Frakes (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 26, 2011 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 26, 2011 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jun 8, 2011 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken Jan 19, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2016 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 20, 2013 by EOL − snakeinmypocket (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 6, 2014 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Dec 6, 2015 by EOL − Gordon C. Snelling (cc-by)
Taken Feb 3, 2010 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2888397)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:201884-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Platystemon californicus Benth.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb