Papaver rhoeas

Papaver rhoeas, with common names including common poppy, corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy, red poppy, and Odai, is an annual herbaceous species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It is native to north Africa and temperate Eurasia and is introduced into temperate areas on all other continents except Antarctica. It is regarded as an agricultural weed (hence the common names including "corn" and "field"). As the plant thrives in areas of disturbed soil, it was often abundant in agricultural fields before the advent of herbicides. Flushes of poppies may still appear in fields where herbicides are not used, as well as those in fallow. The corn poppy and its cultivars such as the Shirley poppy are widely grown in gardens, and are frequently found in packets of seed labelled "wildflower mixes". Since World War I, it has been used in the Commonwealth as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers because it commonly grew in fields disturbed by war.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked and are widely used as a flavouring in cakes, bread, and fruit salads, lending a pleasant nutty taste. Though small, they are easy to harvest thanks to the plant's fairly large seed pods. The seeds are safe to eat and contain none of the alkaloids found in other parts of the plant. Leaves should be harvested and used before flower buds form — either raw or cooked like spinach, or added as a flavouring to soups and salads; some caution is advised regarding their consumption. An edible oil pressed from the seeds is considered an excellent substitute for olive oil, suitable for salad dressings and cooking. A syrup prepared from the scarlet petals can be stirred into soups and gruels, and a red dye extracted from the petals is used as a food colouring, particularly in wine.

Traditional Uses

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.

Medicinal Uses

Corn poppy has a long history of medicinal use, particularly for ailments in the elderly and children. It acts chiefly as a mild pain reliever, a treatment for irritable coughs, and a calmer of nervous over-activity. Unlike the related opium poppy it is non-addictive, though it does contain alkaloids still under investigation and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified herbalist. The flowers and petals are anodyne, emollient, emmenagogue, expectorant, hypnotic, slightly narcotic, and sedative. An infusion is taken internally for bronchial complaints and coughs, insomnia, poor digestion, nervous digestive disorders, minor painful conditions, and jaundice. Petals are harvested as the flowers open and dried, collected on a dry day, or made into a syrup. The latex in the seedpods is narcotic and slightly sedative; in very small quantities and under expert supervision it can be used as a sleep-inducing agent. The leaves and seeds are tonic and useful in treating low fevers. The plant also has anticancer properties.

Known Hazards

Contains alkaloids still under investigation; use only under qualified herbalist supervision. Leaves should not be used after flower buds form.

Distribution

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.

Where It Grows

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,

Cultivation

Prefers a well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position. Does not do well on wet clay soils but succeeds in most other soils. Plants usually self-sow freely when growing in suitable conditions so long as the soil surface is disturbed. There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value. A polymorphic species, varying in leaf shape and flower colour. When growing in cereal fields, poppies decrease the yields of nearby cereal plants. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring or autumn directly in situ.

Other Uses

A red dye obtained from the flowers is very fugitive. A syrup made from the petals has historically been used as a colouring for inks. The red petals are also added to pot-pourri for colour.

Other Information

The petals are eaten by children.

Notes

There are 70 Papaver species.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

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

References (84)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 428
• Bianchini, F., Corbetta, F., and Pistoia, M., 1975, Fruits of the Earth. Cassell. p 78
• Biscotti, N. & Pieroni, A., 2015, The hidden Mediterranean diet: wild vegetables traditionally gathered and consumed in the Gargano area, Apulia, SE Italy. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 84 (3): 327-338
• Biscotti, N. et al, 2018, The traditional food use of wild vegetables in Apulia (Italy) in the light of Italian ethnobotanical literature. Italian Botanist 5:1-24
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 60

More from Papaveraceae

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Papaver dubium

Long-headed poppy

Papaver glaucum

Papaver hybridum

Rough poppy

Papaver lacerum