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Stylophorum diphyllum is often confused with:
Chelidonium majus leaves and yellow flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Campanula americana Campanula americana
Erythronium americanum Erythronium americanum with bumblebee
Sisyrinchium angustifolium Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Stylophorum diphyllum has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Wood poppy Stylophorum diphyllum

Phonetic Spelling
sty-loh-FOR-um dy-FIL-um
Description

Yellow Wood Poppy is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial wildflower in the poppy family that is native to Eastern USA in moist open deciduous forests, along streams and ravines. It is not native to NC but readily naturalizes in the mountains and Piedmont areas.  The scientific name is derived from its form, phoros relates to its long columnar style, while stylos translates to style.  

In spring to early summer they produce bright yellow 4-petal flowers that are followed by a bristly blue-green pod that hangs below the leaves. Although typically yellow, the flowers can contain a hint of orange.  Deadhead after blooming to stimulate additional blooms.

Although a self-seeder, it is not an aggressive plant and additional plants can be easily removed by pulling them up.

The plants need moist humus-rich soils in partial to full shade.  When mature, they are somewhat drought tolerant, however, they will go dormant in summer if allowed to dry out. Use this plant in woodland settings, shady native plant or naturalized areas or along streams and ponds.  

Its survival in the wild is said to be threatened in some locations by garlic mustard, an invasive plant that can destroy the habitat of this plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Other than minor issues with slugs, insects and disease is not an issue.

Its self-seeding can become an issue when attempting to control the plants spread.  

The sap from the fruits were used as a dye by Native Americans.  Contact with the sap can stain your skin.  

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Woodland Walk Shaded Slope
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#ncemgva2018#herbaceous#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#self-seeding#pollinator plant#dry soils intolerant#drought intolerant#perennial#long lived#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#ncemgva2018#herbaceous#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#self-seeding#pollinator plant#dry soils intolerant#drought intolerant#perennial#long lived#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Stylophorum
    Species:
    diphyllum
    Family:
    Papaveraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native Americans used the sap for yellow dye
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Ontario to North Central & Eastern Central U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MI , MO , OH , PA , TN , VA , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Chipmunks and mice feast on the seeds. Bees are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 2 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The 1-inch spindle-shaped fruits are bristly and hairy, blue-green pods. Each has 4 chambers containing dark-colored seeds. When the capsules split open, the seeds are dispersed by ants who are attracted to the plant's oily appendages.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Solitary or small clusters of 1.5-2" deep yellow flowers form at the top of the stem. It has 4 petal-like sepals, two hairy sepals, many stamens and a single knobby stigma. Blooms April to June.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmasect
    Pinnatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Usually has a pair of opposite stem leaves and one or more basal blue-green leaves with silvery undersides. The basal leaves grow to up to 6" long and 2.5" wide with long hairy petioles. While the upper side of the leaf is glabrous, the underside is pubescent to hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The leafy stems contain yellow-orange sap. The base of the stem can be purple and covered with fine hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil