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Bocconia
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This genus of 9 species from subtropical and tropical America is grouped with the poppies, the Papaveraceae. The leaves, while very large, are at least reminiscent of garden poppies, but the flowers are not what would commonly be thought of as poppy-like. They lack petals and are carried in large, plume-like terminal racemes. The plants normally start as a single trunk topped with a head of leaves, but with age, side shoots and suckers develop to form multiple trunks. All parts release a yellow latex if cut. |
CULTIVATION: Bocconia tolerates light frosts but needs a mild climate to thrive. They grow best in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a sunny or partly shaded exposure. They are very vigorous plants and care should be taken to plant them only where their seeding and suckering can be controlled. |
