Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - The plant contains irritating alkaloids and should not be eaten. The yellow-orange sap can irritate skin and eyes. Keep away from children and pets that may chew plants.
Image of Stylophorum diphyllum
Source: Donna Bos

Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Stylophorum diphyllum
Wood Poppy
Stylophore à deux feuilles

Synonyms

celandine-poppy
mock poppy
yellow poppy

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Yellow Bloom Period: Apr - May
Max Height: 1.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
container suitable Suitable for container garden
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
Ecological Benefits:
bee host Bee host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Wood Poppy has bright yellow, poppy-like flowers appearing in spring. It has attractive blue-green foliage and can continue flowering intermittently into summer when conditions are favourable. It grows naturally in rich, deciduous forests and moist woodland slopes. Allow it to spread naturally where space permits. It goes dormant during dry conditions or later in summer. It benefits from leaf mulch and rich woodland soil. Disturb established plants as little as possible.

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Stylophorum diphyllum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Stylophorum diphyllum

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Stylophorum diphyllum

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Oenothera (Non-Native Primrose)
  • Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose Cultivars)
  • Oenothera fructicosa (Sundrops Cultivars)
  • Helianthus (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Black Eyed Susan's Cultivars)
  • Rudbeckia Triloba (Brown Eyed Susan's)
  • Echinacea (Coneflowers)
  • NA (Coreopsis cultivars)
  • NA (Non-native False Sunflower)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Double dormancy. Sow promptly. Can be kept in fridge up to 2 months.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: June
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are open
  • Harvesting:
    • Open the pod, remove seeds
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Keep moist and cool, in a ziploc bag, in the fridge, with the seeds in soil, paper towel or coffee filter, until donation
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non-seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

The plant contains irritating alkaloids and should not be eaten. The yellow-orange sap can irritate skin and eyes. Keep away from children and pets that may chew plants.