Practical
Plants

Papaver orientale

Oriental Poppy

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Papaver
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.75 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Self

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.

Although no specific mention has been found for this plant, many species in this genus are toxic to mammals, though the toxicity, at least when grown in Britain, is low.

Edible uses

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

The young seed heads are used as a condiment, they are hot and acrid[8][2][5]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Condiment

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.

The petals are sudorific[11].

Product or use
Diaphoretic

Environment

Range
W. Asia - Armenia, N.E. Iran, Turkey.
Habitat
Meadows, usually in sub-alpine zones, but also on stony slopes in the lower mountain zone[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

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

Seed - sow June in an outdoor seedbed. Plant into permanent positions in September. Seed can also be sown in spring and may then flower in late summer. Division in March or October with care[9]. Another report suggests that division is very simple[7]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Root cuttings 10cm long, November/December in a cold frame[4].

Cultivation

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

Prefers a well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[1][9]. Succeeds in an ordinary good soil[4][9] and in dry soils, tolerating drought when established[7]. Plants prefer a deep soil that is poor and dry rather than rich, they dislike moist conditions[10]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[10]. A deep-rooting and almost indestructible plant, every scrap of the running root system that is left in the ground can grow into a new plant[7][10]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[6][9]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[10]. A good bee plant[3].

References

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

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

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  4. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

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

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  7. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

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  12. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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