2. • Poppy is a genus of
70–100 species of frost-
tolerant annuals,
biennials, and
perennials native to
temperate and cold
regions of Eurasia,
Africa and North
America. It is the type
genus of the poppy
family, Papaveraceae.
3. • The flowers have two
sepals that fall off as the
bud opens, and four (or
up to six) petals in red,
pink, orange, yellow, or
lilac. There are many
stamens in several whorls
around a compound pistil,
which results from the
fusion of carpels. The
stigmas are visible on top
of the capsule, and the
number of stigmas
corresponds to the
number of fused carpels.
4. • The ovary later
develops into a
dehiscing capsule,
capped by the dried
stigmas. The numerous,
tiny seeds escape with
the slightest breeze
through the pores of the
capsule.
5. • The typical Poppy
gynoecium is hypogenous
with a globular ovary. The
style is characteristically
absent for the type species
Opium Poppy, and several
others, although those with
a style do exist The sessile
plate-like stigmata lies on
top of the ovary
6. • Poppies have been
grown as ornamental
plants since 5000 BC in
Mesopotamia. They
were found in Egyptian
tombs. In Greek
mythology, the poppy
was associated with
Demeter, goddess of
fertility and agriculture.
