Macleaya microcarpa | |
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M. microcarpa, Berlin Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Papaveraceae |
Genus: | Macleaya |
Species: | M. microcarpa |
Binomial name | |
Macleaya microcarpa Fedde |
Macleaya microcarpa is a species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It is a vigorous, substantial herbaceous perennial growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 1 m (3 ft) or more wide, with grey-green felted leaves and loose panicles of buff flowers in midsummer.
The name Macleaya commemorates Alexander Macleay (1767-1848), a Scottish/Australian entomologist. The specific epithet microcarpa means "small fruit". Plants of the genus Macleaya are commonly called plume poppies.
M. microcarpa is an imposing architectural plant which self-seeds readily, and may become a nuisance in a garden setting. It is popular as a subject for flower arranging. The cultivar 'Kelway's Coral Plume', with pink-tinged flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit