Species Profile
Not assessed under traditional UK conservation lists; common and widespread, no conservation concern
- Lifespan
- Annual; typically completes lifecycle within a single growing season (spring to autumn)
- Size & Weight
- 30–90 cm tall; flowers 7–10 cm diameter; seeds 0.7–1 mm
- Habitat
- Disturbed ground, arable fields, gardens, and wasteland, preferring well-drained soils and open sunny locations.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout the UK, particularly in lowland areas and agricultural regions; more common in southern and central England.
- Diet
- Derives nutrition from soil through its root system; not applicable to describe as 'diet' in the traditional sense for a plant.
- Predators
- Rabbits and other herbivores browse seedlings; slugs and snails damage young growth; bird species may consume seeds.
- Mating Season
- Flowers June to August (peak bloom period)
- Breeding
- Produces numerous seeds (thousands per plant) contained in a distinctive round seed capsule; seeds dispersed by wind and water.
- Behaviour
- Petals open in sunlight and close at night or during rain. The plant is an ephemeral species, thriving in disturbed habitats created by human activity. Historically associated with cereal crops but now less common in agricultural areas due to herbicide use.
Did You Know?- •Common Poppy seeds can remain viable in soil for over 20 years, creating dramatic displays when land is disturbed or cultivation practices change
- •The bright red flowers have become a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers, particularly associated with WWI Flanders Fields
- •Petals contain iridescent cells that reflect light differently depending on the angle of viewing
- •The plant contains alkaloids but in much lower concentrations than its relative, the Opium Poppy
- •Medieval folklore attributed medicinal properties to poppies, and they were used in traditional herbal remedies for sleep and pain relief
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