Imani: Hello, everyone. My name is Imani, and my report is about the California poppy, our state flower.

Imani: If you walk past a field of poppies in the evening, you might think the flowers are gone. They are still there, but their orange petals are folded up tight, like a closed umbrella.

Imani: Poppies close at night, and they also close on cold, cloudy days. Scientists think this helps keep the pollen inside the flower dry and safe.

Imani: When the sun comes out and the air warms up, the petals open again. That is also when bees are out flying, so the open flower is ready for visitors. If you want to see poppies at their best, go on a sunny afternoon.