Mexican tulip poppies

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Mexican tulip poppies
Mexican tulip poppy (Hunnemannia fumariifolia)

Mexican tulip poppy ( Hunnemannia fumariifolia )

Systematics
Eudicotyledons
Order : Buttercups (Ranunculales)
Family : Poppy Family (Papaveraceae)
Subfamily : Papaveroideae
Genre : Hunnemannia
Type : Mexican tulip poppies
Scientific name of the  genus
Hunnemannia
Sweet
Scientific name of the  species
Hunnemannia fumariifolia
Sweet

The Mexican tulip poppy ( Hunnemannia fumariifolia ) is the only species of the genus Hunnemannia from the poppy family (Papaveraceae). It is very similar to the Californian poppy and was previously placed in the genus Eschscholzia . This species of plant is endemic to the high plains of Mexico .

description

Vegetative characteristics

The Mexican tulip poppy is a perennial herbaceous plant and reaches heights of up to 60 centimeters. It has ascending, branched stems that are slightly woody at the base . The leaves form a basal rosette . The gray-green leaves are pinnately divided into many fine, closely spaced, linear segments with blunt tips and up to 14 centimeters long.

Mexican tulip poppy ( Hunnemannia fumariifolia )

Generative characteristics

A terminal or axillary flower is formed, each sitting on long stems. The hermaphrodite, tulip-like flower has a diameter of 5 to 7 centimeters. The flower buds are almost spherical. The two sepals fall off when the flower opens. The four bright yellow, almost round petals overlap. The many stamens have short stamens and orange-colored anthers . Two carpels have become a top permanent ovary grown. In its homeland, the plant blooms almost all year round.

Up to 14 centimeters long, thin, almost cylindrical, pod-like capsule fruits somewhat thickened in the middle develop . The capsules have ten longitudinal ribs and open lengthways on two sides after ripening. Numerous, net-like patterned seeds, measuring around 2.5 millimeters by 2.3 millimeters, are then released from them.

Chromosome number

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 56.

ingredients

The watery, yellowish milky sap of the Mexican tulip poppy in particular contains poisonous alkaloids . The same alkaloids are suspected as in the closely related California poppy ( Eschscholzia californica ). These include the typical representatives Allocryptopin and Californidin .

Occurrence, ecology and use

The Mexican tulip poppy is originally endemic to the desert regions of southern and central Mexico . It is found there in areas with stony, calcareous soils at altitudes between 1500 and 2000 meters. Preferably it occurs in disturbed places such as streets and paths. In changing temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius, bright light and moisture, it germinates in about 18 days. It is hardy to around -5 degrees Celsius.

In some parts of the world, particularly in southern England , it is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The Mexican tulip poppy has not yet made the leap to other parts of the European continent, which could be due to its limited winter hardiness. It is also cultivated as a dryland plant in Argentina and the United States (southern and Hawaii ) . In the warm temperate latitudes, it blooms in summer and autumn and requires very little water.

Sources and further information

The article is mainly based on the following documents:

Individual evidence

  1. Hunnemannia fumariifolia at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
  2. a b B. Bös: GIFTPFLANZEN.COMpendium, accessed February 2008

Web links

Commons : Mexican tulip poppy ( Hunnemannia fumariifolia )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files