Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "California Poppy" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c California Poppy stamp issued July 24, 1992. An appropriate state flower for the "Golden State," the California poppy's brilliant orange-gold flowers conjure visions of sunshine and the lure of gold. Early Spanish explorers found California poppies growing abundantly on hillsides, in valleys, and along ocean shores. Dazzled by this splendor, they christened the poppy copa de oro or "cup of gold." The genus name, Eschscholzia, honors Johann Fredrich Eschscholtz, a German physician and zoologist who accompanied Russian expeditions to the Pacific Coast in the early 1800s. Although its native range extends only from southern California to southern Oregon, California poppies have been planted widely in the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the country. Well-loved for its bright displays, the California poppy is a favorite of gardeners. Forming a mounded clump about a foot tall, the feathery, blue-green foliage contrasts strikingly with the vivid flowers. The California poppy prefers well-drained, sandy soils in full sun. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 12 x 11 in. Unframed. (B12813)