Natural History Wanderings

University of California reports

Using California poppies as a model organism, a new research project across the UC Natural Reserve System will highlight how genetic diversity, and rates of gene flow, affect plant success. The results will help predict how plant species will fare as they experience climate change.

The incandescent orange flowers of the California poppy light up meadows across the Golden State. The fact that this one species is found from hot, dry San Diego all the way to the cool, rainy Klamath Mountains points to a special power: the capacity to adapt to a phenomenally broad range of conditions.

Read more Improving predictions of plant species survival with the California poppy | University of California