Papaver orientale, the Oriental poppy, is a perennial flowering plant native to the Caucasus, northeastern Turkey, and northern Iran.
Oriental poppies grow a mound of leaves that are hairy and finely dissected in spring. They gather energy and bloom in mid-summer. After flowering, the foliage dies away entirely, a property that allows their survival in the summer drought of Central Asia. Gardeners can place late-developing plants nearby to fill the developing gap.
Taxonomy
The scientific name Papaver orientale was established in 1753 by Linnaeus. The species is classified in the genus Papaver within the wider family Papaveraceae. It has no varieties that are accepted, but does have four among its thirteen synonyms.
Table of Synonyms
Name
Year
Rank
Notes
Calomecon orientale (L.) Spach
1838
species
≡ hom.
Papaver dzeghamicum Medw.
1915
species
= het.
Papaver grandiflorum Moench
1794
species
= het.
Papaver lateritium subsp. monanthum (Trautv.) Kadereit
1996
subspecies
= het.
Papaver monanthum Trautv.
1866
species
= het.
Papaver oreophilum var. monanthum (Trautv.) N.Busch
1905
variety
= het.
Papaver orientale f. flavolactescens Kuntze
1887
form
= het.
Papaver orientale var. monanthum (Trautv.) Trautv.
1876
variety
= het.
Papaver orientale var. normale Kuntze
1887
variety
= het.
Papaver orientale var. parviflora N.Busch
1905
variety
= het.
Papaver orientale var. paucifoliatum Trautv.
1876
variety
= het.
Papaver paucifoliatum (Trautv.) Fedde
1909
species
= het.
Papaver spectabile Salisb.
1796
species
≡ hom., nom. superfl.
Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym ; = heterotypic synonym
Cultivation
Papaver orientale usually thrives in soil pH 6.5 to 7.5 and in full sun or part shade. Seeds are sown after the potential of frost has passed, the average temperature is approximately 21 °C and when soil has thoroughly warmed. The seeds are sown at a depth of about one centimeter, or less as light may stimulate...
