Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

2013 04 05 10 28 06

Another poppy this week in Garden Alphabet, but something quite different from our native California Poppy. In fact, as you can  see by the latin names, these poppies are an entirely different genus from the California variety.

The Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale) is probably more familiar to most people, as it is grown in many gardens throughout the US. The poppies in the photo were snapped at a local garden in La Cañada Flintridge I passed in my travels. 

Papaver orientale (Oriental poppy) is a perennial flowering plant[2] native to the Caucasus, northeastern Turkey, and northern Iran.[3]

Oriental poppies throw up a mound of finely cut, hairy foliage in spring. After flowering the foliage dies away entirely, a property that allows their survival in the summer drought of Central Asia. Late-developing plants can be placed nearby to fill the developing gap. Fresh leaves appear with autumn rains.

” — Wikipedia.org

 
More information on the Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale):

Previously in Garden Alphabet: