Common poppy  (Papaver rhoeas)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

The poppy was introduced to Britain; it is known from Bronze Age deposits, and it seems to have been introduced with early agriculture (1), in the seed-corn of early settlers (4). It is now widespread throughout much of Britain; it is common in England and southeast Scotland but becomes rare in north-western Scotland and is mainly found close to the coast in Wales. It is thought to be native to southern Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia (2), but has become naturalised outside of this range (3).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

A 'weed' of arable fields, disturbed and open habitats, the poppy thrives best on light calcareous soils. It is often included in wild flower mixtures, and occurs in many areas as a garden escape (3). It is vulnerable to herbicides, and tends to occur mainly in field margins and strips of fields that have not been sprayed (3).

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