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Similar Macleaya, Macleaya cordata, Bocconia, Mentha ×verticillata, Medicago laciniata | ||
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.
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Etymology
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.
Cultivation
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
