Scientific Name:
Papaver somniferum
Pronunciation:
puh-PAY-vur som-NEE-fer-um
Common Name:
opium poppy
Family Name:
Papaveraceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true)
Key ID Features:
Leaves mostly alternate (basal leaves soon whither, oblanceolate, ), sessile, base cordate and clasping, margin lobed, dentate, and wavys, grey-green, most 10-30cm long x 5-20cm wide; flowers solitary, terminal, erect, with four large overlapping petals, buds nodding, peduncles hairy; capusles nearly round, smooth, 2-5cm wide, peduncle smooth (loses hairs).
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Central / west Asia, Europe (Naturalized In BC)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Small garden/space, Spring interest
Additional Info:
Google. Compare to common poppy.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Silver / Grayish
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Oblanceolate
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Cleft (parted)
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Orange, Yellow, Red
Flower Scent:
Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jun
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Green
Organ Modifications:
Storage tap root
Propagation:
Seed
Pest Susceptibility:
Abiotic disorder, Aphids or adelgids, Mildew, Root rot, Virus (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant)
