Papaver somniferum L.

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Papaveraceae

  • Scientific Name

    Papaver somniferum L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Stout annual to 1 m, glaucous and mainly glabrous except for the distally hispid peduncles; lvs sessile, coarsely toothed or shallowly lobed, with cordate-clasping base; buds 2–4 cm; pet 3–6 cm, purple or red to white; fr glabrous, 2.5–6+ cm, subglobose or broadly obovoid; stigmatic rays 8–15; 2n=22. Native of the Mediterranean region, modified in cult., often escaped in our range. June–Sept.

  • Common Names

    opium-poppy