Corn poppy, field poppy, Flanders poppy, red poppy, coquelicot
Papaver rhoeas
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Corn poppies are primarily used as a cover crop, green manure, and for attracting pollinators. The seeds are edible and can be used in baking. The young leaves are also edible, though best consumed when very young. The flowers are used to make a red dye. It's considered a beneficial insectary plant due to its attractiveness to hoverflies and other beneficial insects. Some cultivars have been bred for larger flowers and more vibrant colors, making them useful as ornamentals.
Permapeople description
The corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is a flowering plant that is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It is also known as the red poppy, Flanders poppy, or field poppy. The plant has bright red flowers that are typically about 2-3 inches in diameter. The flowers have four petals that are often crinkled or creased. The leaves are hairy and deeply lobed, and the stem is slender and upright.
The corn poppy grows to be about 1-2 feet tall and is an annual plant, meaning that it completes its life cycle in one growing season. It is a fast-growing plant and is often used as a cover crop or for erosion control.
The corn poppy prefers full sun and well-draining soil, and it is often grown in fields or gardens. In order to cultivate the plant successfully, a grower may need to till the soil and remove any weeds to prepare the area for planting. The plant is not winter hardy and will die off in cold weather.
The corn poppy is not edible, but the flowers can be used as a natural dye. The plant has some medicinal uses and has been used as a pain reliever and sedative. It is also a popular plant for use in gardens and landscapes due to its bright red flowers and ability to attract pollinators.
Botanical description
Papaver rhoeas is an annual herbaceous flowering plant in the poppy family (Papaveraceae). It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet. The stems are erect and covered in bristly hairs. The leaves are pinnately divided and also hairy. The flowers are solitary on long stems, typically bright red but can vary to shades of pink and white, with four petals and a black spot at the base of each petal. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous tiny black seeds. It thrives in disturbed soil and is commonly found in fields and along roadsides.
Companion planting
Corn poppies are generally considered good companion plants as they attract pollinators. They may compete with some crops for resources if allowed to self-seed excessively. They are often used as a trap crop to lure pests away from more valuable plants.
Propagation methods
Propagation is primarily through sowing seeds directly in the ground in spring or autumn. The seeds require light to germinate and should be surface-sown or very lightly covered with soil. Self-seeding is common in suitable conditions.
History and traditions
The corn poppy is associated with remembrance, particularly in the context of World War I, where it grew profusely in the battlefields of Flanders. It is often worn as a symbol of remembrance on Armistice Day (November 11). Historically, it has been used medicinally for its sedative and pain-relieving properties, though less commonly than other poppies. In some cultures, the seeds have been used in traditional breads and cakes.
Usage calendar
Flowering occurs from late spring to mid-summer (May-August). Seed harvesting can be done in late summer. Planting is best done in early spring or autumn. Pruning is not generally required, but deadheading can encourage further flowering.