The California poppy is the state flower of California. It’s native to the Pacific slope of North America from western Oregon to Baja California. Adelbert von Chamisso, naturalist aboard the Russian exploring ship Rurick, discovered and named the species. The Rurick visited Alaska and California in 1816 under the command of Lieutenant Otto von Kotzebue. Chamisso named the California poppy Eschscholzia californica in honor of J. F. Eschscholtz, the ship’s surgeon and entomologist (note that he accidentally left the “t” out of Eschscholtz’s name).

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Wild radish (Raphanus sativus) is an annual in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) that occasionally functions as a perennial. This species invades disturbed landscapes and can be found along roadsides throughout the state of California. Wild radish is most detrimental in rangeland ecosystems, where large stands displace native species and reduce forage value. Wild radish in excess has shown to be toxic to livestock.

Individuals should be hand-pulled before seed pods develop, paying special attention to the tap root. Resprouting is common if the entire root is not extracted. Large populations should be mowed or cut at soil level as an initial treatment with a follow-up plan in place.

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