Arctomecon californica is a herbaceous perennial found in Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) habitats, in barren shales with gypsum substrates, at 500–1,000 metres (1,600–3,300 ft) in elevation.

[2] The plant flowers in mid spring with deep yellow petals from large buds on tall 1–3 feet branching inflorescences.

It is also known in Utah from a single collection in Washington County, characterized as having "apparently occurred in cultivation on private property".

Habitat fragmentation is a possible contributing factor to reduced levels of genetic variation in populations in the Las Vegas Valley.

Pollination occurs by female Mojave poppy bees who collect pollen from the plants to feed their young.