All the dried poppy heads were cut down and brought inside in advance of the big rains we had recently. Taking great care, I might add, not to turn them upside down, to avoid all the seeds spilling out the top. I will take them outside later in the season and sprinkle them around, to increase next years crop. I left some of them out, uncut. The seeds from those will be easily dispersed by the wind.
Nine pictures might seem like a lot of images to take of the dried fruit of a flower. But seriously. They are so beautiful.
I fully intend to draw and paint some later this summer.
These are papaver semipervum also known as opium poppies. They are cultivated widely for a variety of purposes - medicinal use, for seeds which are edible, and of course for their beauty in the garden. I just bought a book about poppies. Can you tell from that last sentence that I just started reading it? It's full of information. For example did you know that opium is extracted from a latex substance produced in the fruit capsule? I didn't. Count on me to keep you up to date with anything equally fascinating I happen to come across in my reading.
I love dried poppy seedheads! Fascinating floral architecture...Your second photo really shows it.
Posted by: Diana | 07/09/2016 at 11:37 PM
I LOVE poppies because they give interest to the garden all throughout their growing process. Your photos are FABULOUS!
Posted by: Emie | 07/10/2016 at 06:13 AM
They are beautiful!
Posted by: Janet Ghio | 07/10/2016 at 06:45 AM
Poppy pods are amazing designs! If you watch the ones you left out...check on them, say in December, January etc, you may find some whose skin has disintegrated, leaving only the veins like a little cage in the shape of the pod. I try to remember to put some pods in the birdcages I have outside so the disintegrated pods don't get lost. Emphasis on "remember".
Posted by: jeanette sclar | 07/10/2016 at 06:56 PM
Beautiful! I don't think I've ever actually seen these in real life, but I was amazed that they have different numbers of "arms" -- lots of 12s, but also 11s and even a 9. After you read your book you'll be able to give me the scientific name for the "arms" I'm sure.
Posted by: Sandra | 07/10/2016 at 07:44 PM
What Emie said -- interesting and beautiful from the beginning to the end.....
Posted by: Vicki in Michigan | 07/10/2016 at 09:25 PM
Gosh , the tops really look like anise. I never noticed that before. I love poppies , they're so happy and bright.
Posted by: karen | 07/11/2016 at 11:15 AM
Wonderful...worthy of nine (maybe more) photos!
Posted by: jackie | 07/11/2016 at 02:32 PM