Shirley Poppies, Corn poppy
Papaver rhoeas

Family: Papaveraceae

What it is like

An annual plant which grows up to 60 cm high. It is 15 cm across. The leaf shape and flower colour can vary. The leaves are soft and hairy and deeply divided. The leaves are 5-20 cm long. The leaves are green, not blue-green. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 6-10 cm across. The flower petals have a dark spot at the base. The seed capsules are 0.8-1.5 cm wide. They are smooth.

There are 70 Papaver species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It does not do well on acid soils. It prefers a well drained sandy soil in a sunny position. It can grow in arid places. It Argentina it grows from sea level to 900 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Central America, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, Sicily, SE Asia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Vietnam, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The seed is eaten raw or cooked. They can be used in stews. They are used in caked, breads and rolls. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. They are used in soups. The dried leaves are eaten with honey. An edible oil is obtained from the seed. A syrup can be prepared from the scarlet flower petals. The flowers are chewed and sucked. A red dye from the petals is used to flavour wine.

The petals are eaten by children.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, stems, root, tuber, flowers, flowers - tea, oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They are planted where they are to grow. The fine seed are scattered over the soil surface. Plants should be spaced 15-20 cm apart.

Its other names

Local names

Ababoles, Amapola, Babaol, Beauty Yu, Bein-ni, Bellaman, Belle bimbe, Buk, Bulka, Caramadones, Chovannakashakasha, Corn Poppy, Erba pantanina, Erragassagassala, Errapostakaya, Field Poppy, Flanders poppy, Flilou, Foond, Gelincik, Gulika ereba, Kagma, Kamacik, Kempu gasgase, Kempukkasakhasi, Kukumavotu, Lala, Lalkhaskhas, Lalposht, Lalpost, Mak, Makalj, Makelj, Nunu, Papagna, Paparina, Paparinazzu, Pipacs, Poljski mak, Poppy, Post, Postekebija, Rakta-posta, Rouzel, Ruelles, Shivappupostakachedi, Siguppuppostaka, Sivappugashagasha, Tambadakhasakhasa, Yumeiran

Synonyms

Papaver hookeri Baker; Papaver rhoeas var. hookeri (Baker) Fedde; Papaver rhoeas var. strigosum Boenn.; Papaver strigosum (Boenn.) Schur;