Filters:

Opium Poppy Papaver somniferum 

 
 
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Annual Life CycleAnnual life cycle
Cup-Shaped FlowersCup-shaped flowers
Lilac FlowersLilac flowers
4 Petals4 petals
Jun-Aug Flowering
period
Oval LeavesOval leaves
Crinkly-Edged LeavesCrinkly-edged leaves
Round StemRound stem
Tap RootTap root
100cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Opium Poppy
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Opium Poppy is a native annual plant of the UK, typically found growing in waste ground and cropland, to a mature height of up to 100cm.

Opium Poppy, as the name suggests, is used to make opium (from dried latex 'bled' from scored green poppy seed pods). Opium is then in turn processed to make opioid medicinal drugs (such as morphine) and illicit drugs (such as heroin). However, many modern cultivars produce very low amounts of opium. The Opium Poppy is an erect, branching plant with smooth, bluish-green, fleshy leaves and stems. The leaves are broad and long, with a prominent midrib, and their edges are crinkly, with large irregular teeth. The flowers are made up of floppy petals, with dark markings towards the centre, These petals may be pink, lilac, red, purple or white.

Botanic classification and naming: Opium Poppy is a member of the Poppy (Papaveraceae) family. The genus name 'Papaver' identifies the plant as a Poppy and its species name 'somniferum' means 'sleep-inducing plant'.

Concerns: The Opium Poppy is very poisonous to humans and pets, containing toxins affecting the nervous and respiratory systems.

Benefits: The Opium Poppy produces nectar-rich flowers for pollinators. It also provides food for seed-eating birds.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Opium Poppy

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Opium Poppy usually flowers between June and August.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Lilac

Lilac

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Cup

Cup

Petals:

Petal Number =  4

4

Leaf of Opium Poppy

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Oval

Oval

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is crinkly-edged

crinkly-edged

Stem of Opium Poppy

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Round

Round

Root type:

Root Type is Tap

Tap