Native to temperate eastern Asia, Macleaya has sometimes been merged with neotropical Bocconia , which differs in having perennial stems, long-stipitate ovaries, fleshy, single-seeded capsules dehiscing from the base, and much larger seeds. The sap of Macleaya has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antiseptic for wounds (C. Grey-Wilson 1993).
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MG-70-19-0057-19].