Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Papaveraceae ⟩ Papaver somniferum / opium poppy

Papaver somniferum L.

opium poppy (Papaveraceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Papaver somniferum is a strongly glaucous poppy, very variable in size and flower colour.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-07-04

 opium poppy / Papaver somniferum: _Papaver somniferum_ is a strongly glaucous poppy, very variable in size and flower colour.

The seed capsule of Papaver somniferum is very broad, usually with 5–22 openings at the apex.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2013-08-28

 opium poppy / Papaver somniferum: The seed capsule of _Papaver somniferum_ is very broad, usually with 5–22 openings at the apex.

Opium poppies have been grown commercially in the UK since 2003, for the production of pharmaceuticals.

South Stoke (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-07-06

 opium poppy / Papaver somniferum: Opium poppies have been grown commercially in the UK since 2003, for the production of pharmaceuticals.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne