Papaver
Papaver (pronounced /pəˈpeɪvər/) is a genus of poppies, belonging to the Poppy family (Papaveraceae).
Its 120-odd species include the opium poppy and corn poppy. These are annual, biennial and perennial hardy, frost-tolerant plants growing natively in the temperate climates of Eurasia, Africa and North America (Canada, Alaska, Rocky Mountains). One section of the genus (Section Meconella) has an alpine and circumpolar arctic distribution and includes some of the most northerly-growing vascular land plants.
Papaver grows in disturbed soil. Its seeds may lie dormant for years until the soil is disturbed. Then they bloom in great numbers under cool growing conditions.
The large, showy terminal flowers grow on long, hairy stalks, to a height of even 1m or more as in the Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale). Their color vary from the deepest crimson, lilac, or white, or violet, to bright yellow or soft pink. The tissue-paper-like flowers may be single, double or semi-double. The size of these flowers can be amazing, as the Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule) grows to 15-20 cm across.
The flower buds are nodding or bent downwards, turning upwards as they are opening. The perianth is formed by two whorls - the calyx (sepals) and the corolla (petals). The outer whorl of two sepals drops off as the bud opens. The inner whorl consists of 4 (but sometimes 5 or 6) petals. There are many stamens in several whorls around a compound pistil, which results from the fusion of a variable number of carpels. The stigmas are visible on top of the capsule, and the number of stigmas corresponds to the number of fused carpels.
The ovary later develops in a poricidal capsular fruit, capped by the dried stigmas. The numerous, tiny seeds escape with the slightest breeze through the pores of the capsule.
Poppies have a long history. They were already grown as ornamental plants since 5,000 BC in Mesopotamia. They were found in Egyptian tombs. In Greek mythology, the poppy was associated with Demeter, goddess of fertility and agriculture. People believed they would get a bountiful crop if poppies grew in their field, hence the name 'corn poppy'. In this case, the name 'corn' was derived from 'korn', the Greek word for 'grain'.
They are also sold as cut flowers in flower arrangements, especially the Iceland Poppy. They deserve a prominent place in any garden, border, or in meadow plantings. They are probably one of the most popular wildflowers.
In the course of history, poppies have always been attributed important medicinal properties. The alkaloid rhoeadine is derived from the flowers of the Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas). This is used as mild sedative. The stems contain a latex or milky sap. This may cause skin irritation, and the milky sap present in the Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) contains several narcotic alkaloids including morphine and codeine.
Selected species
Papaver acrochaetum
Papaver aculeatum : South African Poppy
Papaver alboroseum : Pale Poppy
Papaver alpinum : Dwarf Poppy
Papaver amurense
Papaver apokrinomenon
Papaver apulum
Papaver arachnoideum
Papaver arenarium
Papaver argemone : Long Pricklyhead Poppy
Papaver armeniacum
Papaver atlanticum : Atlas Poppy, Moroccan Poppy
Papaver aurantiacum
Papaver belangeri
Papaver berberica
Papaver bipinnatum
Papaver bracteatum
Papaver californicum : Fire Poppy, Western Poppy
Papaver clavatum
Papaver commutatum
Papaver croceum : Ice Poppy
Papaver curviscapum
Papaver cylindricum
Papaver dahlianum : Svalbard Poppy
Papaver decaisnei
Papaver degenii : Pirin poppy
Papaver dubium : Long-headed Poppy, Blindeyes
Papaver fugax
Papaver giganteum
Papaver glaucum : Tulip Poppy
Papaver gorgoneum
Papaver gorodkovii : Arctic Poppy
Papaver gracile :
Papaver guerlekense
Papaver hybridum : Round Pricklyhead Poppy
Papaver kluanense : Alpine Poppy
Papaver lacerum
Papaver lapponicum : Lapland Poppy
Papaver lasiothrix
Papaver lateritium
Papaver macounii : Macoun's Poppy
Papaver mcconnellii : McConnell's Poppy
Papaver miyabeanum : Japanese Poppy
Papaver nudicaule : Iceland Poppy, Icelandic Poppy
Papaver orientale : Oriental Poppy
Papaver paucifoliatum
Papaver persicum
Papaver pilosum :
Papaver polychaetum
Papaver postii
Papaver pseudo-orientale : Oriental Poppy
Papaver purpureamarginatum
Papaver pygmaeum : Pigmy Poppy
Papaver radicatum : Rooted Poppy
Papaver rhoeas : Common Poppy, Corn Poppy, Annual Poppy, Flanders Poppy, Shirley Poppy.
Papaver rhopalothece
Papaver rupifragum : Spanish Poppy
Papaver sendtneri : White Alpine Poppy
Papaver setigerum : Poppy of Troy, Dwarf Breadseed Poppy
Papaver somniferum : Opium Poppy
Papaver spicatum
Papaver strictum
Papaver stylatum
Papaver syriacum
Papaver triniifolium
Papaver umbonatum :
Papaver walpolei : Walpole's Poppy
Translation
The word "Papaver" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian.
Translation(s) in other languages: Arabic: بابافير, Bulgarian: Мак, Danish: Valmue, German: Mohn, Esperanto: Papavo, French: Pavot, Hebrew: פרג, Korean: 양귀비속, Upper Sorbian: Mak, Dutch: Klaproos, Japanese: ケシ属, Polish: Mak, Russian: Мак, Swedish: Vallmor, Turkish: Haşhaş, Ukrainian: Мак.
|
