Papaver degenii, the Pirin poppy (Bulgarian: Пирински мак), is a poppy endemic to the Pirin Mountains of south-western Bulgaria where it is found at altitudes from 2,100 to 2,900 m.[1] It is included in the Red Book of Bulgaria as vulnerable species.[2] It is considered by some authors to be conspecific with the Alpine poppy (Papaver alpinum).[3]

Papaver degenii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Papaver
Species:
P. degenii
Binomial name
Papaver degenii
Urum. & Javorka

The Pirin poppy is a perennial herbaceous plant. The stems is 5 to 15 cm long. The leaves are skewered, swallowed, their portions are ovoid. There are four 13–15 mm long petals coloured from bright yellow to orange. The stamens are numerous with yellow anthers. It blooms from July to August. It is distinguished from the other species of poppy in Bulgaria by the basal leaves and the colour of the petals.[1][2]

This poppy is very rare and is found in low numbers; there could be as few as a few dozen individuals on 100 m2 It is found on limestone rocks on the slopes of Pirin's highest summit Vihren (2,914 m), the knife-edge ridge Koncheto that links the peaks Kutelo (2,908 m) and Banski Suhodol (2,884 m), Golemiya Kazan cirque and the surrounding summits. There areas are protected within the Pirin National Park and the Bayuvi Dupki–Dzhindzhiritsa nature reserve.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Papaver degenii". Orbel Magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Papaver degenii". Red Book of Bulgaria, Volume I. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Papaver degenii". The Plant List. Retrieved 22 July 2018.