Papaver bracteatum Lindley (Giant Scarlet Poppy): In Vitro Production of Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids

Abstract

Papaver bracteatum Lindley [Papaveraceae, section Oxytona Bernh (= Macrantha Fedde)], commonly known as the Giant Scarlet Poppy, is a robust perennial plant with unbranched flower stalks (70–120 cm), bearing erect bracteate buds expanding into conspicuous flowers having six purplish crimson petals, each usually with a black blotch longer than broad from base to mid-line. Leaves are long (up to 45 cm), pinnately dissected, and deeply incised, growing as a basal rosette. Capsules are open-pored, obovate-globose in shape, up to 3.5 cm long with 14–20 stigmas (Fig. 1); (Goldblatt 1974). The plant is almost totally self-incompatible requiring cross-pollination (usually by bees) for seed production. Fleshy tap roots (up to 1 cm in diameter) arise from a broad crown. They rarely branch, and grow downward 2 m or more into the soil. In temperate climates flowering occurs from mid-May to June. The plants enter dormancy once the capsules are mature and new rosettes of leaves are visible above ground from August onwards. These remain during the following winter, with new flowering stems arising in the spring. Although the plant is native to the Caucasus, Iran, and Turkey, growing in mountainous regions between 2000 and 2500 m, it is easily cultivated throughout Europe, as well as in Israel (Milo et al. 1988) and the USA (Davis 1982).