Tas, 6729. 
PAPAVER Hookert. 
Native of Indian Gardens. 
Nat. Ord. Papaveracem.—Tribe EvPAPAVERACEX. 
Genus Papaver, Linn. ; (Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Pl. vol. i. p. 51.) 
Papaver Hookeri; elata, robusta, ramosa, patentim hispida, foliis lanceolatis 
ovatisve pinnatifidim lobatis lobis adscendentibus acutis, floribus amplis 
coccineis, petalis basi albis v. nigris, filamentis filiformibus, capsula subglobosa 
brevissime stipitata glaberrima, stigmatis planiusculi radiis 12~20 crenis 
marginalibus rotundatis incumbentibus. 
P. Hookeri, Baker in Hort. Kew. 
The plant here figured has puzzled me very much. I 
found it to be common in gardens in India, both native 
and European, but I know of no native locality for it. 
Supposing it to have been some well-known garden species, 
and introduced from Europe or elsewhere, no notice was 
taken of it in the “Flora Indica,’’ or in the “ Flora of 
British India.” Specimens are in the Kew Herbarium, col- 
lected in the Saharumpore Gardens by Thomson, in those 
of Scinde by Stocks, and by myself in those of Bengal. Its 
nearest ally is obviously P. heas, from which it differs in. 
its great size, for it forms a bushy herb four feet high and 
upwards, and in the great number of stigmatic rays, which 
are twelve to twenty, that is nearly double those of P. 
Rheas; the flowers, capsule, and seeds also are much 
larger, and the stigma broader in proportion. The flowers 
attain three and a half inches in diameter, and the capsule 
three-quarters of an inch. The petals vary from pale rose 
to bright crimson, with a white or black spot at the base. 
Whether to be regarded as a species, or as a large 
cultivated form of P. Rheas, this is a most valuable addi- 
tion to our gardens, being perfectly hardy, and single 
plants flowering continuously in Autumn for several weeks. 
Tt was raised from seeds sent by Mr. J. Beck, of Kashmir 
(formerly of Kew), and which were collected by Mr. 
DECEMBER Ist, 1883. 
