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Common Name: Plume Poppy

General Information

Macleaya cordata is a perennial plant that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..

Known Hazards

The sap is very poisonous[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - E. China, Japan.

Habitat

Grassy places, open meadows and the grassy floors of Cryptomeria plantations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained deep soil[] preferring a sunny sheltered position but tolerating light shade[]. Easily grown in sun or partial shade[].
Hardy to about -15°c[].
A very ornamental plant, it can be grown as an isolated specimen in a lawn[]. An excellent plant for sub-tropical bedding[].
Plants have spreading underground rhizomes[] and can be invasive[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is analgesic, antioedemic, carminative, depurative and diuretic[].
The juice from the stems of the leaves is used to treat insect bites[].
A decoction of the leaves and stems is used in the treatment of ringworm[].
The poisonous sap is used to counter poisonous sores[].

Other Uses

The dried hollow stems can be used as whistles[].
Kills insects and mosquito larvae[]. The flowers are used to kill maggots whilst the whole plant is used to kill larvae and insects[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in the autumn. Stored seed should be sown in the early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in the dormant season[].
Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cuttings from the axils of larger leaves in early summer[].
Root cuttings in the winter[].