Seasonal Wild Flowers

Peony Poppy

Papaver somniferum Paeoniflorum Group

Peony- (Paeony-) flowered Opium Poppy, Papaver paeoniflorum

Papaveraceae

June to August

It is a very thinly scattered casual found throughout the

country.

The link below is for the source of the Peony Poppy,

See the BSBI distribution map for Peony Poppy

It is a neophyte and a garden escape which grows on disturbed

and waste ground, brown-field sites and in cracks in pavements

and at the base of walls, especially near habitation.

Peony poppies are garden plants, which were bred from the Opium

Poppy, and grow up to 80cm.

They are showy and brightly coloured with many small petals.

A range of varieties are found, from those like the original Opium

Poppy, but with a few more petals, to those with a ball of petals,

akin to a peony.

Capsules are large.

The leaves are greyish and clasp the stem, as in the Opium Poppy.

Peony Poppies on hedgebank, Somerset

Flower and capsules

Side view of capsule

Leaves

Variety closer to Opium Poppy

Light purple variety

Orange variety