Papaver

Poppies

Other names:
Introduced From: England/Europe
Family: Papaveraceae, Poppy family. About 250 species in 28 genera worldwide, 6 genera in Australia
Habitat: Uncommon weeds of roadsides, wastelands and cultivation
Uses: Seeds of some species are edible and/or have medicinal uses
Season:
References: Low (Weeds), Richardson and Shepherd, Two Crows

There are about 5 introduced species of poppies (Papaver spp.) growing wild in Australia. The Opium Poppy, Papaver somniferum, is restricted by law and posession of any part of it is strictly forbidden. Tim Low says that two of the wild growing species, Papaver rhoeas (Field Poppy) and Papaver setigerum (Small-leaved Opium Poppy), produce edible seeds, which taste bland raw and much better cooked.

WARNING: The edibility of Papaver dubium is in question and there are claims by some people that it is poisonous.

Papaver dubium, Long-headed Poppy (pictured below) looks very similar to Papaver rhoeas. From this site about Papaver dubium, "Papaver dubium: Diaphoretic. The plant is sudorific, I suspect the plant also has similar actions to Papaver rhoeas but I cannot find the references to support this (folk taxonomy often does not distinguish between these two species)".

Another site said that is "suspected to have toxic properties". So, you have been warned.

Photo: Papaver, Poppies. Wentworth Falls, NSW. High resolution (1200 x 1600)

Photo: Papaver, Poppies. Wentworth Falls, NSW. High resolution (1200 x 1514)

Photo: Papaver, Poppies. Wentworth Falls, NSW. High resolution (1060 x 784)

Photo: Papaver, Poppies. Wentworth Falls, NSW. High resolution (897 x 891)

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papaver poppies

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