POPPY FAMILY 
CELANDINE POPPY 
PAPAVERACEAE 
Stylophorum diphyllum (Michx.) Nutt. 
In contrast with the Bloodroot, which possesses a red 
juice or latex, the Celandine Poppy has a bright yellow 
juice. The name Stylophorum means style bearing and 
was given to this 
plant because most 
other members of the 
Poppy family do not 
have a distinct style. 
This Poppy is limited 
to a few of the central 
states. It is found from 
extreme western Penn- 
sylvania to Wisconsin 
and Missouri, and south 
as far as Tennessee. In 
Illinois it occurs in the 
damp woods of the south 
but is not common. 
This perennial has a _ 
stout underground stem 
from which rise the basal 
leaves and flowering stem 
1-2 feet high. The lower 
surfaces of the leaves are 
pale and the upper are 
bright green. Leaves of 
the flowering stem are 1-3 and commonly 2 opposite. 
The flowers are produced from April to May either singly 
or in clusters of 2 or more. Each has 2 hairy sepals which soon 
drop off, and 4 striking deep yellow petals. The stamens are 
numerous and there is 1 pistil with a distinct style and a 2 or 
4-lobed stigma. The capsule fruit contains many seeds which 
are conspicuously crested. 
Bright are the blossoms of the scarlet sage, 
And bright the velvet vest 
On the nasturtium’s breast; 
Bright are the tulips when they reddest rage, 
And bright the coreopsis’ eye; 
But none of all can with your brilliant beauty vie, 
Poppies—JOHN RUSSELL HAYES 
120 
