Papaver orientale Oriental Poppy PFAF Plant Database

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Papaver orientale - L.

Common Name

Oriental Poppy

Family

Papaveraceae

Synonyms

P. bracteatum. Lindley.

Known Hazards

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.

Habitats

Meadows, usually in sub-alpine zones, but also on stony slopes in the lower mountain zone[74].

Range

W. Asia - Armenia, N.E. Iran, Turkey.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Papaver orientale is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
It is hardy to zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, self.The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.




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Habitats
Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment. The young seed heads are used as a condiment, they are hot and acrid[2, 105, 183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Diaphoretic. The petals are sudorific[240].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[1, 200]. Succeeds in an ordinary good soil[111, 200] and in dry soils, tolerating drought when established[190]. Plants prefer a deep soil that is poor and dry rather than rich, they dislike moist conditions[233]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[233]. 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[190, 233]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[187, 200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. A good bee plant[108].

Propagation

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[200]. Another report suggests that division is very simple[190]. 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[111].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
74200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.

Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[74]Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR.

An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[105]Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.

The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[108]International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees.

The title says it all.

[111]Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials.

A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[187]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2.

Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.

[190]Chatto. B. The Dry Garden.

A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

[240]Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).

Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

Readers comment

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