Thursday 26 June 2008

Papaver somniferum


Thanks to Mr. Mcgregor's daughter who identified this beauty as Papaver somniferum or common name Bread Seed Poppy. Stupid question but are these the little black seeds on bread rolls?

After reading up on it also seems to be commonly known as an Opium poppy. I didn't know these grew over here in England, i thought these type of poppies were some sort of tropical plant that only grew in hot countries for drugs etc. It is growing in the shadiest part of the garden although it apparently prefers a sunny location, i think a bird must have dropped the seed.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

As far as I'm aware they are the dried seeds used in bread etc. Commercially the poppies are bred for a larger seed and finer flavour.
Yours are a lovely colour.