[2] A 2006 study suggest the four clades were related as shown in the following cladogram:[3] Papaver sect.

Oreomecon is derived from Ancient Greek ὄρος (oros) 'mountain' and μήκων (mēcōn) 'poppy',[2] hence 'mountain poppy'.

[2] The Papaver alpinum group has been treated particularly variably, with one to seven or more species accepted, along with numerous subspecies.

A 2009 study concluded that "most previous taxonomic concepts of P. alpinum s.l.

[7] As of January 2025[update], Plants of the World Online (PoWO) listed the following species:[1]