Family: Papaveraceae
Common Name: Horned Poppy, Sea Poppy

This genus comprises about 25 species of annual, biennial and perennial herbs, origi­nally from Asia and the countries around the Mediterranean. Long, poppy-like stems arise from rosettes of basal leaves, often of silvery or blue-green, bearing a single flower, mostly in shades of red, orange or yellow, some with dark spots at the base of the petals.

Species

G. corniculatum, a biennial, produces red or orange flowers, with a black spot at the base of each petal, and bristly fruit.

G. flavum, a short-lived perennial from the Mediterranean regions, grows to 1 m (3 ft), with golden yellow to orange flowers, to 5 cm (2 in) across. The seeds yield an oil which is used commercially.

G. grandiflorum is an attractive, ornamental species, with large, deep orange to rich crimson flowers having a dark spot at the base of the petals. Summer flowers are abundant.

Cultivation

These poppies are easily propagated from seed sown where it is to grow. The flowers do best in a very open, sunny situation. The soil must be well drained but need not be rich; in fact they do well in poor, low-nutrient soils. They dislike transplanting or disturbance.

Climate

Zone 7.