Practical
Plants

Macleaya cordata

Plume Poppy

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
2 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The sap is very poisonous[3].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The whole plant is analgesic, antioedemic, carminative, depurative and diuretic[7]. The juice from the stems of the leaves is used to treat insect bites[8]. A decoction of the leaves and stems is used in the treatment of ringworm[7]. The poisonous sap is used to counter poisonous sores[7].

Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Stings

Material uses

The dried hollow stems can be used as whistles[3]. Kills insects and mosquito larvae[2]. The flowers are used to kill maggots whilst the whole plant is used to kill larvae and insects[7].

Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Musical

Environment

Range
E. Asia - E. China, Japan.
Habitat
Grassy places, open meadows and the grassy floors of Cryptomeria plantations[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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[6]. 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[6]. Root cuttings in the winter[5].

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained deep soil[1] preferring a sunny sheltered position but tolerating light shade[6]. Easily grown in sun or partial shade[4]. Hardy to about -15°c[4]. A very ornamental plant, it can be grown as an isolated specimen in a lawn[1]. An excellent plant for sub-tropical bedding[1]. Plants have spreading underground rhizomes[4] and can be invasive[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  3. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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