[1] It is endemic to California, where its distribution includes the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, and Transverse Ranges.

kernensis, is limited to the mountains of Kern County surrounding the Grapevine.

This wildflower is an annual herb growing from a patch of segmented leaves made up of round-edged leaflets.

The erect stalks grow up to 30 centimeters tall and bear orange or dark yellow poppy flowers.

The fruit is a capsule 3 to 7 centimeters long containing tiny netted brown seeds.