DICRANOSTIGMA
Family PAPAVERACEAE
Dicranostigma franchetianum
Annual
Also known as Chelidonium franchetianum, this
is a hardy annual of Chinese origin, and is related
to the Poppy.
The glaucous leaves are cut in the fashion typical
of many of this family, and the flowers are borne
on erect stems of one and a half feet.
The flowers, an inch across, of a brilliant orange
shade, are of broad petals of the shape associated
with the Poppy family,
with a centre of orange stamens.
This plant is one of the most attractive of annuals
and deserves to be more widely known and cultivated.
It is easily grown in any well-drained soil in
full sun. The seeds may be sown where the plants
are to flower, and the seedlings thinned when
large enough to handle.
It is an effective plant for contrasting with
the blue forms of the annual Scabious, Purple
Petunias or Anchusa capensis,
in which it finds its ideal foil.
Propagation is from seed.
The flowering season is from midsummer onwards.
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