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Prickly Poppy

Papaver argemone

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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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, Purple Ramping Fumitory, Rough Poppy, Tall Ramping Fumitory, Welsh Poppy, Western Ramping Fumitory, White Ramping Fumitory, Yellow Corydalis, Yellow-horned Poppy, Yellow-juiced Poppy
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
90 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Red, 4 petals
 
Scarlet coloured flowers with narrow, well-spaced petals. Flowers are black in their centres. Pale blue anthers. 4 to 6 stigmas. Flowers measure up to 6cm in size. Pollinated by flies, bees and beetles.
Fruit:
Prickly Poppy is UK's only poppy with a long, narrow, bristly fruit capsule. The capsule is ribbed and stalkless. The seeds ripen in August and September.
Leaves:
An annual flower with fern-like leaves. The lower leaves are stalked and upper leaves stalkless.
Other Names:
Long Pricklyhead Poppy, Long-headed Bristly Poppy, Pale Poppy.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Rough Poppy

Other Information

Summary

Papaver argemone, commonly known as the Prickly Poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The plant is known for its large, white or yellow flowers that have four petals and a cup-shaped base, as well as its prickly, hairy leaves and stem. The flowers typically bloom in the late spring to early summer. The plant is a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial, and it is often considered as a weed. It is also used in traditional medicine and the seeds of the plant contain alkaloids which are used as a purgative and anodyne. It is not commonly cultivated as ornamental plant due to its prickly leaves and stems.

Blog

Prickly Poppy, also known as Papaver argemone, is a fascinating plant that belongs to the poppy family. It is a hardy annual plant that is native to the Mediterranean region, but it has also been introduced to other parts of the world where it has become naturalized. Prickly poppy is known for its beautiful flowers and prickly stems, which give it its common name.

The Prickly Poppy plant can grow up to 3 feet tall and has a spiny stem that is covered in small prickles. The leaves of this plant are deeply lobed and have a rough texture. The flowers of the Prickly Poppy are large and showy, with four petals that range in color from pale yellow to bright orange. They bloom in the summer and are followed by small, green pods that contain seeds.

Prickly Poppy is an easy plant to grow, and it can thrive in a variety of soils, including poor, dry soils. It prefers full sun to partial shade and requires minimal watering once established. The plant is also tolerant of drought conditions and can survive in areas with limited rainfall.

One interesting thing about Prickly Poppy is that it has medicinal properties. The plant contains alkaloids, which have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including pain, fever, and inflammation. In traditional medicine, the plant has been used as a sedative, and it has also been used to treat skin conditions.

Despite its many benefits, Prickly Poppy is considered a weed in some areas because it can grow quickly and can be difficult to control. However, if you are looking for an attractive, low-maintenance plant that can add a pop of color to your garden, Prickly Poppy is an excellent choice.

Prickly Poppy is also known for its unique ecological adaptations. The spiny stems and leaves of the plant are believed to have evolved as a defense mechanism against herbivores, such as deer and rabbits, which may avoid the plant due to its prickly nature. Additionally, the plant's ability to thrive in poor soils and tolerate drought conditions make it well-suited for survival in arid environments.

The flowers of Prickly Poppy are also attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which play an important role in the plant's reproduction. The seeds of the plant are dispersed by wind, and they can remain viable in the soil for many years, allowing the plant to reestablish itself after periods of dormancy.

In addition to its medicinal properties, Prickly Poppy has also been used for other purposes throughout history. The plant has been cultivated for its seeds, which are used in cooking and baking. The seeds can be ground into a flour, which can be used to make bread and other baked goods. The seeds are also rich in oil, which can be extracted and used for cooking and as a fuel source.

Overall, Prickly Poppy is a versatile and fascinating plant that has many unique characteristics. Whether you are interested in the plant's ecological adaptations, medicinal properties, or culinary uses, Prickly Poppy is a plant that is sure to capture your interest and provide you with years of enjoyment in your garden or natural environment.

And now a long list of facts about the Prickly Poppy

Here are 30 facts about the Prickly Poppy:

  1. The scientific name for Prickly Poppy is Papaver argemone.
  2. The plant is also known by other common names such as Prickly Poppy, Long Pricklyhead Poppy, and Mexican prickly poppy.
  3. Prickly Poppy is an annual plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall.
  4. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region but has been introduced to other parts of the world.
  5. Prickly Poppy has showy, four-petaled flowers that can range in color from pale yellow to bright orange.
  6. The plant's stem is covered in small prickles that can be painful to touch.
  7. The leaves of Prickly Poppy are deeply lobed and have a rough texture.
  8. The plant is hardy and can tolerate poor, dry soils.
  9. Prickly Poppy prefers full sun to partial shade.
  10. The plant is tolerant of drought conditions.
  11. Prickly Poppy has medicinal properties and contains alkaloids that have been used for pain relief, fever reduction, and inflammation.
  12. The plant has also been used as a sedative in traditional medicine.
  13. Prickly Poppy can be grown from seed and is an easy plant to cultivate.
  14. The plant is considered a weed in some areas because it can grow quickly and be difficult to control.
  15. Prickly Poppy has unique ecological adaptations, including spiny stems and leaves that may deter herbivores.
  16. The plant can thrive in arid environments due to its ability to tolerate drought conditions and poor soils.
  17. Prickly Poppy is attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
  18. The seeds of Prickly Poppy can remain viable in the soil for many years.
  19. The plant's seeds have been used in cooking and baking.
  20. The seeds can be ground into flour, which can be used to make bread and other baked goods.
  21. The seeds of Prickly Poppy are rich in oil, which can be extracted and used for cooking and as a fuel source.
  22. The plant has been used for ornamental purposes due to its showy flowers.
  23. The flowers of Prickly Poppy can bloom in the summer and fall.
  24. The plant is low-maintenance and requires minimal watering once established.
  25. Prickly Poppy has been used in traditional medicine to treat skin conditions.
  26. The plant has been used in herbal remedies to alleviate anxiety and insomnia.
  27. Prickly Poppy can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.
  28. The plant has been used to make natural dyes for fabrics.
  29. Prickly Poppy has been used in folk medicine to treat snake bites.
  30. The plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory conditions.

In summary, Prickly Poppy is a versatile plant with many uses and adaptations. It has medicinal properties, culinary uses, and has been used for ornamental and ecological purposes. Prickly Poppy is also well-suited for survival in arid environments and can thrive in poor, dry soils. Despite its many benefits, the plant can be difficult to control in some areas and can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map