About
Papaver pilosum is a poppy in the genus Papaver, its common name reflecting the fine hairs found on the flowering stems. As with other Papaver species, the flowers have caducous sepals and multiple petals arranged around numerous stamens, and the ovary develops into a dry capsule. It flowers in the UK from May to August. Mature capsules release many tiny seeds that can be collected or left to self-sow.
About the genus
Papaver 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.
Wikipedia contributors, "Papaver", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Papaver
In the garden
Papaver pilosum belongs to the genus Papaver and bears the descriptive common name hairy-stemmed poppy. Members of this genus include frost-tolerant annuals, biennials and perennials from temperate regions, and share a floral structure in which two sepals fall away as the bud opens, followed by several petals and a compound pistil that forms a unilocular capsule. Propagation is normally by seed: the capsule ripens into a dehiscing fruit that scatters numerous minute seeds when moved by wind or disturbance, so allow plants space for seed dispersal or collect capsules for controlled sowing. Because many Papaver species tolerate light frost, sowing regimes and timings should follow usual poppy practice for your garden type and local climate. Use Papaver pilosum where seasonal flowering and seed production are wanted, taking care if self-seeding might be an issue. To save seed, harvest the capsules once they are dry and brown and store them in a cool, dry place; the plate-like dried stigma atop the capsule marks maturity and helps identify seed-ready fruit.
