Papaver rhoeas L.
Common Poppy
The common or field poppy is a familiar annual of arable land, long associated with Britain though originally of North African and Eurasian origin and now found through much of the world. It grows wiry, branching, bristly stems with deeply lobed leaves, each topped by a single nodding bud that opens to a brilliant scarlet, papery flower, usually with a dark mark at the centre.
About
The common or field poppy is a familiar annual of arable land, long associated with Britain though originally of North African and Eurasian origin and now found through much of the world. It grows wiry, branching, bristly stems with deeply lobed leaves, each topped by a single nodding bud that opens to a brilliant scarlet, papery flower, usually with a dark mark at the centre. Flowering runs through the summer, with blooms following one another over many weeks.
It is a plant of disturbed, open ground, springing up in cornfields, on field margins, road verges and freshly turned soil, in full sun on a wide range of soils. The flowers offer abundant pollen for bees and other insects. Enduring as the flower of remembrance, it is a mainstay of cornfield annual seed mixes and informal sunny borders, where it gives a quick, vivid display and self-seeds readily on cultivated ground.
Also known as
Corn Poppy · Field Poppy · Flanders Poppy · Red Poppy · Shirley Poppy · cornfield poppy · headache
Synonyms
Papaver arvense · Papaver rhoeas chancelii · Papaver rhoeas conicum · Papaver rhoeas rhoeas · Papaver rhoeas vulgare
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.