Papaver californicum is a species of poppy known by the common names fire poppy and western poppy. It is endemic to California, where it is found in Central Western California and Southwestern California. It grows in chaparral, oak woodlands, and other habitats, often in places that have recently burned.

Fire Poppy - Papaver californicum, is a native annual herb that grows only in California (endemic). Relatively uncommon and occasionally observed, this plant is found in the Santa Monica’s after chaparral is burned or brush along a trail is removed. The flowers of Fire Poppy can be Orange, Red or Brick Red or some variation between Orange and Red.

Papaver californicum is an annual herb that grows a hairy to hairless stem which may exceed half a meter in height. The flower atop the mostly naked stem usually has four petals one or two centimeters long that are orange in color with green bases. Petals of the similar wind poppy (Stylomecon heterophylla) have purple bases.