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Yellow-horned Poppy

Glaucium flavum

Glaucium flavum Glaucium flavum
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Ranunculales
Family:
Papaveraceae (Poppy)
Also in this family:
Atlantic Poppy, Bird-in-a-bush, Bleeding Heart, Californian Poppy, Climbing Corydalis, Common Fumitory, Common Poppy, Common Ramping Fumitory, Dense-flowered Fumitory, Few-flowered Fumitory, Fine-leaved Fumitory, Greater Celandine, Hollowroot, Long-headed Poppy, Martin's Ramping Fumitory, Opium Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Prickly Poppy, Purple Ramping Fumitory, Rough Poppy, Tall Ramping Fumitory, Welsh Poppy, Western Ramping Fumitory, White Ramping Fumitory, Yellow Corydalis, Yellow-juiced Poppy
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Biennial or Perennial
Maximum Size:
1 metre tall
Habitats:
Beaches, cliffs, saltmarshes, sand dunes, seaside, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, 4 petals
 
Yellow flower, up to 9cm.
Fruit:
A distinctive narrow, curving, horn-shaped seed capsule, up to 3cm long. The surfaces of the capsules are warty in appearance and each capsule contains hundreds of seeds. The Yellow-horned Poppy is said to have the longest seed capsule of any British plant.
Leaves:
Thick and leathery, silvery or bluish-grey leaves. Covered in many fine, short hairs. Deeply divided with wavy margins.
Other Names:
Bruisewort, Horned Poppy, Sea Poppy, Seaside Poppy, Yellowhorn Poppy.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Other Information

Summary

Glaucium flavum, commonly known as yellow horned poppy or yellow hornpoppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, and is found along coastlines, in salt marshes, and on sand dunes. The plant has bright yellow flowers with four petals and is known for its "horned" seed capsules. It is considered as an annual or biennial plant, depending on the location, and it is hardy and adaptable to many different types of soil. It is a popular ornamental plant and is grown for its attractive flowers, but it is also considered as invasive weed in some areas.

Blog

Yellow-horned poppy, scientifically known as Glaucium flavum, is a plant species that belongs to the Papaveraceae family. This stunning plant is native to the Mediterranean region and can be found in many countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey. It is commonly known as yellow-horned poppy due to the characteristic horn-shaped seed pod that protrudes from the flower stem.

The yellow-horned poppy is a herbaceous plant that typically grows up to 1 meter in height. It has a grayish-green color and a fleshy stem with a smooth texture. The leaves are bluish-green and have wavy edges that give them a distinct appearance. The flowers are large and showy, with four bright yellow petals that have a crumpled texture. The flower also has a central column that is topped with a round knob of stamens.

The yellow-horned poppy is a hardy plant that can thrive in a variety of environments. It prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate both drought and salty conditions, making it ideal for coastal areas. It also prefers full sun exposure, but it can grow in partial shade as well. The plant typically blooms in late spring and summer, producing a profusion of bright yellow flowers that can be seen from a distance.

The yellow-horned poppy has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The plant contains a variety of alkaloids, including glaucine, which has been found to have pain-relieving properties. In traditional medicine, the plant has been used to treat coughs, respiratory problems, and other ailments. However, it should be noted that the plant can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, and it is not recommended for self-medication.

In addition to its medicinal properties, the yellow-horned poppy is also valued for its ornamental value. It is a popular plant for gardens and landscaping, particularly in coastal areas. The bright yellow flowers and distinctive horn-shaped seed pods make it a striking addition to any garden. It is also an important plant for wildlife, providing food and habitat for a variety of insects, including bees and butterflies.

The yellow-horned poppy has also been used in traditional dyeing practices. The plant contains a yellow pigment that can be extracted and used to dye fabrics and fibers. The dye is known for its fastness and can produce a range of shades from pale yellow to deep golden hues.

Interestingly, the yellow-horned poppy has also been used as a natural remedy for insomnia. In some cultures, the dried flowers of the plant are burned as incense, and the smoke is believed to have a calming effect that can help promote sleep.

Despite its many benefits, the yellow-horned poppy is also considered a weed in some areas. It has been introduced to several countries outside of its native range, including the United States and Australia, where it has become invasive. The plant has a tendency to spread rapidly, and its fleshy stem can easily root and form new plants.

In some areas, efforts are being made to control the spread of the yellow-horned poppy. However, in its native range, the plant is an important part of the ecosystem, providing food and habitat for a variety of insects and other wildlife.

One interesting aspect of the yellow-horned poppy is its role in mythology and folklore. In ancient Greece, the plant was associated with the god Morpheus, who was the god of sleep and dreams. It was believed that the yellow-horned poppy had the power to induce sleep and bring prophetic dreams.

In some cultures, the yellow-horned poppy has also been associated with death and the afterlife. The horn-shaped seed pod is sometimes seen as a symbol of the transition from life to death, and the plant has been used in funeral rites and rituals.

Another interesting fact about the yellow-horned poppy is that it is closely related to the opium poppy, which is used to produce opium, morphine, and other narcotic drugs. While the yellow-horned poppy does contain alkaloids with pain-relieving properties, it is not as potent as the opium poppy and is not typically used for drug production.

In recent years, the yellow-horned poppy has also attracted attention from researchers for its potential as a source of natural products with medicinal properties. Studies have shown that the plant contains a variety of compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Overall, the yellow-horned poppy is a fascinating plant with a rich history and a range of uses. Whether you are interested in its medicinal properties, its ornamental value, or its role in mythology and folklore, this plant is sure to captivate your imagination.

30 Facts about the Yellow-horned Poppy

Here are 30 interesting facts about the Yellow-horned Poppy:

  1. The scientific name of the Yellow-horned Poppy is Glaucium flavum.
  2. It belongs to the Papaveraceae family, which also includes poppies and bleeding hearts.
  3. The Yellow-horned Poppy is native to the Mediterranean region.
  4. It can be found in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
  5. The plant is also known as Yellow Horned-poppy, Yellow Horned-poppy or Sea-poppy.
  6. It is a herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1 meter in height.
  7. The plant has a grayish-green color and a fleshy stem with a smooth texture.
  8. The leaves are bluish-green and have wavy edges that give them a distinct appearance.
  9. The flowers are large and showy, with four bright yellow petals that have a crumpled texture.
  10. The flower also has a central column that is topped with a round knob of stamens.
  11. The Yellow-horned Poppy blooms in late spring and summer.
  12. The plant prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate both drought and salty conditions.
  13. It also prefers full sun exposure, but it can grow in partial shade as well.
  14. The Yellow-horned Poppy is valued for its ornamental value and is a popular plant for gardens and landscaping, particularly in coastal areas.
  15. The plant has a distinctive horn-shaped seed pod that protrudes from the flower stem.
  16. The Yellow-horned Poppy has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
  17. The plant contains a variety of alkaloids, including glaucine, which has been found to have pain-relieving properties.
  18. In traditional medicine, the plant has been used to treat coughs, respiratory problems, and other ailments.
  19. The dried flowers of the plant are burned as incense in some cultures, and the smoke is believed to have a calming effect that can help promote sleep.
  20. The Yellow-horned Poppy has also been used in traditional dyeing practices.
  21. The plant contains a yellow pigment that can be extracted and used to dye fabrics and fibers.
  22. The dye is known for its fastness and can produce a range of shades from pale yellow to deep golden hues.
  23. The plant is an important part of the ecosystem, providing food and habitat for a variety of insects and other wildlife.
  24. In some areas, the Yellow-horned Poppy is considered a weed and has become invasive.
  25. The plant has a tendency to spread rapidly, and its fleshy stem can easily root and form new plants.
  26. The Yellow-horned Poppy is closely related to the opium poppy, which is used to produce opium, morphine, and other narcotic drugs.
  27. While the Yellow-horned Poppy does contain alkaloids with pain-relieving properties, it is not as potent as the opium poppy and is not typically used for drug production.
  28. In ancient Greece, the plant was associated with the god Morpheus, who was the god of sleep and dreams.
  29. The Yellow-horned Poppy has also been associated with death and the afterlife in some cultures.
  30. Studies have shown that the plant contains a variety of compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Video

Yellow-horned Poppy filmed in Aldeburgh, Suffolk on the 27th June 2022.

 

Music credits
Dangerous by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100414
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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