Oriental poppy
Papaver orientale
Family: Papaveraceae
What it is like
A poppy which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60-100 cm high and spreads 30-50 cm wide. It forms a clump. The leaves are blue-green and bristly. They have leaflets along the stalk and the leaves are 25 cm long. The flower stems have leaves on the lower half. The flowers occur singly and are 10 cm across. They can be red, orange or pink and often have darker blotches.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Armenia, Australia, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, Iran, Mediterranean, Middle East, North America, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The seeds and flower parts are eaten. The hot acrid capsules are also reported as eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit, heads, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Ala hashas