Canbya is a genus of flowering plants in the poppy family Papaveraceae, order Ranunculales, comprising two species commonly known as the pygmy poppies. The genus was described by Charles Christopher Parry ex Asa Gray, with the name published in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (volume 12, page 51) in 1877. It is named in honor of William Marriott Canby (1831-1904), an amateur botanist.
Both species in the genus are diminutive annuals, growing no more than a few centimeters tall and bearing flowers less than 10 mm across, among the smallest in the poppy family. They are restricted to dry, desert habitats in the western United States. Canbya aurea, the yellow pygmy-poppy, is found in central and southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada, while Canbya candida, the (white) pygmy poppy, occurs in the western Mojave Desert of Southern California. GBIF distribution records for the genus likewise span California, Nevada, and Oregon.
Etymology
The genus Canbya was named after William Marriott Canby (1831-1904), a well-known amateur botanist.
Distribution
Canbya is restricted to dry parts of western North America. Canbya aurea occurs in central and southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada, while Canbya candida is found in the western Mojave Desert of Southern California — consistent with GBIF distribution records for the genus (California, Nevada, Oregon).
Taxonomy Notes
Canbya belongs to the poppy family Papaveraceae (order Ranunculales). It was described by Charles Christopher Parry ex Asa Gray and published in Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 12: 51 (1877).
