Papaver rhoeas

Common poppy

Papaver rhoeas, commonly known as the corn poppy, is a striking annual wildflower celebrated for its vibrant scarlet petals. Historically significant in traditional medicine, this resilient plant is recognized for its soothing properties. It grows wild in agricultural fields, adding a splash of brilliant color to many natural landscapes.

  • Scientific name: Papaver rhoeas
  • Family: Papaveraceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ranunculales, it is a member of the Papaveraceae family. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Papaver.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ranunculales WCVP
Family Papaveraceae WCVP
Genus Papaver WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Papaver rhoeas, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Luxembourgish, it is called Feierblumm, while in several Chinese linguistic contexts, including Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Cantonese (zh-hk), and Mainland Chinese (zh-cn), it is known as 虞美人.
Language Common Name Source
lb Feierblumm Wikidata
zh-hans 虞美人 Wikidata
zh-hant 虞美人 Wikidata
zh-hk 虞美人 Wikidata
zh-cn 虞美人 Wikidata
zh-sg 虞美人 Wikidata
zh-tw 虞美人 Wikidata
bo དཔྱིད་མཛེས་མེ་ཏག Wikidata
pl Mak polny Wikidata
eu Mitxoleta Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is widely recognized for its presence across various parts of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the coastal and inland regions of Denmark. Its distribution extends further north into the landscapes of Norway and Finland. Additionally, the species is well-established within the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations highlight the specific northern range of Papaver rhoeas.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as the corn poppy, is characterized by its striking and delicate botanical structures. The most visually prominent features are its vibrant, papery petals, which typically exhibit a deep scarlet hue. These petals are an integral part of the large, solitary flowers that bloom atop slender, hairy stems. In herbal and botanical contexts, the medicinal utility often involves the use of the aerial parts, which encompass everything above the ground, including the stems, leaves, and the blossoms themselves.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
petals 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flowers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Papaver rhoeas has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ca2+, anthocyanins, benzophenanthridine, benzylisoquinoline, coumarins.

Total chemicals
15
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Ca2+ 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anthocyanins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
benzophenanthridine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
benzylisoquinoline 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coumarins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mastoparan 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oripavine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
protoberberine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Papaver rhoeas has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidepressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antispasmodic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitussive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Genotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Sedative 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Papaver rhoeas has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antidepressant, chronic diseases, cough, inflammation.

Total uses
10
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antidepressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chronic diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cough 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sedative 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sleep disorder 1 ★☆☆☆☆
struvite crystal 1 ★☆☆☆☆