Everyone loves our state flower, the California poppy. But few know the story about its scientific name.  It starts with a Russian ship sailing into San Francisco Bay with a German poet on board . . . and the rest is (strange) history.

Featuring Ken Lavin. Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Produced by Joan Hamilton. Photos and video by Kendall Oei and Joan Hamilton. With help from other members of the Wild Mount Diablo team, Wally De Young and Staci Hobbet.