opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Opium poppy is a nearly hairless with red, pink, purple, or white flowers. Its blue-gray upper leaves wrap around the stem, and large, round seed pods develop after flowering. U.S. federal law defines the plant, excluding its seeds, as opium poppy; the seeds are used in breads and pastries.

Appearance

Appearance: Plants commonly stand about 3–5 ft (1–1.6 m) tall and are nearly hairless. Stems and leaves have a waxy blue-gray cast.
Leaves: The upper leaves have shallow, irregular teeth and clasp the stem at the base.
Flowers: Single flowers usually have four broad petals and can be red, pink, purple, or white. Double-flowered cultivated forms also occur.
Fruit: After flowering, it forms a large rounded with a flat, radiating cap.

Look-alikes

corn poppyPapaver rhoeas

Opium poppy has blue-gray upper leaves that clasp the stem and a large round capsule. Corn poppy is usually hairy, has more deeply cut leaves, and develops a smaller capsule.

Why they get mixed upBoth are annual poppies with broad, papery, four-petaled flowers.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: cultivated ground
sunny disturbed sites
Range: Its native range is listed as the western and central Mediterranean region and Macaronesia (islands in the Atlantic). It has a long history of cultivation far beyond that range.
Preferred conditions: This annual grows best in open sun and well-drained soil.

Life cycle

Reproduction: The capsule holds many small seeds.

Cautions

Cautions: The milky sap of unripe capsules contains potent . Do not eat or experiment with the plant.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The species is the historical source of opium and of medically important compounds such as morphine and codeine.
Poppy seeds are used in breads and pastries, but the living plant and harvested plant material have a different legal status from the seed. Flower color and double petals do not change the plant’s legal identity.

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