Family: Papaveraceae
Common name: Common poppy, Field poppy, Corn poppy, Indian poppy, Red poppy, Red weed, Odai, Flanders poppy, Corn rose
Common poppy is a stunning wild flower that is very commonly seen in gardens, parks, and disturbed areas, filling the area with delicate, deep red flowers. They are considered a symbol of remembrance and peace, particularly in regard to World War I.
Plant characteristics
Common poppy plants grow to a height of 50-70 cm with an erect, branched, and hairy stem. The stem is slender, waxy, and bluish-green in appearance.
Leaves of the Common poppy are lobed and highly dissected with jagged edges, giving them a feathery appearance. They are deep green, about 15-20 cm long and covered with coarse, white hairs.
Flowers are the most distinguishing features of the Common poppy – each flower having four, delicate, paper-thin petals that overlap with each other. These flowers are held aloft long, green, hairy stalks.
The most common flower color is red, but there are variants with yellow, white, pink, and orange colored flowers as well.
Common poppy flowers are about 6-10 cm in diameter with a black or deep purple center formed of prominent dark-colored stamens. Ovary is light green and is visible below the layers of stamens.
Though the flowers do not produce much nectar, it can attract bees, butterflies, and insects with their brightly-colored petals.
Each plant can produce over 300 flowers in season. So though the flowers last only one day, the plant is always covered with bright, beautiful flowers.
Once the flowers are pollinated, they produce a spherical, slightly elongated seed capsule that is about 2 cm in diameter. The shape of the capsule is very interesting – like a cauldron with a designer top which opens up on maturity to release numerous tiny seeds.
Gardening Tips
Common poppy plants prefer good sunlight, but they can grow in partial shade under small trees. They are tolerant of drought to some extent, and need very little care once they are established in the soil.
Common Poppy plants grow well in poor soil conditions; in fact, high nutrition in the soil might adversely affect their growth. Removing spent flowerheads can help the plant focus its energy on producing more flowers.
Common poppy plants produce abundant seeds that can lie dormant in the soil until optimum growing conditions arise.
Uses of Common Poppy
These sturdy little plant have many uses in traditional herbal medicine in the treatment of pain, cough, insomnia, digestive disorders, jaundice, and fever.
Seeds are eaten raw or cooked, and are also used in making breads, cakes, and fruit salads. They are safe to eat and does not contains any addictive elements as contained in Opium poppy or Papaver somniferum.
Leaves of the common poppy are also eaten when the plant is tender, before the flowers are formed. Common poppy seeds are used to make an oil that is used in salads, and is a good substitute for olive oil.
Flower petals are for making a syrup that is used in salads. The deep red flowers are used for making dyes, and as a food flavoring while making wine. Dried petals are used in pot-pourri.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds that are produced in abundance. Left alone, the Poppy plants can self-seed and produce new plants in season. Hence they are considered invasive weeds in many parts of the world.
Photographed at: KEW gardens, London
