Macleaya microcarpa | |
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M. microcarpa, Berlin Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Papaveraceae |
Genus: | Macleaya |
Species: | M. microcarpa
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Binomial name | |
Macleaya microcarpa |
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. [1]
The name Macleaya commemorates Alexander Macleay (1767-1848), a Scottish/Australian entomologist. [2] The specific epithet microcarpa means "small fruit". [3] Plants of the genus Macleaya are commonly called plume poppies.
Macleaya microcarpa is an imposing architectural plant which self-seeds readily, and may become a nuisance in a garden setting. [4] It is popular as a subject for flower arranging. The cultivar 'Kelway's Coral Plume', [5] with pink-tinged flowers, has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [6]