Practical
Plants

Glaucium flavum

Horned Poppy

a perennial member of the Glaucium genus in the family Papaveraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.45 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root is poisonous.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A clear yellow edible oil is obtained from the seed[6][8][9][4].

Product or use
Oil

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Poultice[10].

Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An oil obtained from the seed is used for as a fuel for lighting, it burns cleanly[6]. It is also used in soap making[8].

Product or use
Oil

Environment

Range
Usually near the coast in W. Europe, including Britain, to the Mediterranean and W. Asia.
Habitat
Shingle banks by the coast[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The seed can be sown in the middle of spring or in autumn in a cold frame. A period of cold stratification improves germination. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[1]. If you have sufficient seed it should be worthwhile trying an outdoor sowing in situ in mid spring[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in any good well-drained soil[1][7]. Requires a very well-drained poor soil[5]. Prefers a hot dry position[2] and dislikes shade[7]. A very ornamental but short-lived perennial[1], it is hardy to about -10°c[5]. Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be placed in their final positions as soon as possible[7]. Flowers are produced in the first year from seed[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  10. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

    ↩

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