The poppy is one of the UK's most iconic and symbolic wildflowers, with a rich history and a vibrant presence in our landscapes. Closely linked to human civilization for thousands of years, the poppy has been recognised as a symbol of agriculture, sleep, remembrance and hope. But how did such a delicate flower come to hold such weight in our cultural and creative imaginations?
Papaver rhoeas, also known as common poppy, corn poppy, or field poppy, is an annual wildflower that thrives where there is disturbed soil. Being one of the few wildflower species from this part of the world to flower a vibrant red colour, the common poppy is particularly distinctive. In summer, its iconic red flowers create beautiful displays of colour across roadsides, fields and agricultural land, providing food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
An emblem of agriculture
Because Papaver rhoeas relies on soil disturbance, such as plowing, to set seed for another year, it is commonly found growing on agricultural land. It is believed that as agriculture spread across Europe, so did the poppy, eventually finding itself Britain some 5000-7000 years ago.
Poppies growing beside wheat crop. iStock Credit: joannatkaczuk
Poppies often grow alongside other cornfield annual species that rely on similar conditions, known by some as agricultural 'weeds’, such as corn marigold (Glebionis segetum), corn cockle (Agrostemma githago), corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) and cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). Although these iconic species have been in the UK a long time, they are not considered to be UK native species.
Once a common sight in arable fields, sadly these cornfield annual wildflowers have declined significantly in the UK due to intensive use of agricultural herbicides.
Cornfield annual wildflowers blooming. iStock credit: Ana Lebiodiene
A sleepy nature
Throughout history, poppies have been represented in connection with sleep and dreams, including through strong associations to Hypnos, the Ancient Greek god of sleep.
This is likely due to the compounds found in poppies, which can have a sedative effect when consumed. The flowers of common poppies have long been used as a mild sedative and pain killer, among other things .
However, it is a cousin of the common poppy, Papaver somniferum (literally ‘sleep-inducing’ poppy) that has led to the darker association between poppies, sleep, and even death. Known as the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum is the source of opium, which has been used as a drug and medicine for thousands of years. Opium poppies are still used in the production of opioid pain medications, including morphine and codeine.
Read more about these two remarkable poppy species on the Kew website.
Opium poppy. Credit: Ulrich Roesch.
A symbol of remembrance
The poppy's most poignant association is with war and remembrance.
Disturbance of the ground on battlefields creates the perfect conditions for poppies to bloom.
During World War I, the sight of poppies on the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium inspired poet John McCrae to write the iconic poem "In Flanders Fields." The poppy has since become a powerful symbol of those who have lost their lives in conflict, and is adorned on pins and lapels during November.
You can get growing
It's fun and easy to grow common poppy. Sow seeds in spring or autumn to brighten up your garden, balcony or window box.
The colourful flowers will provide vital food for a variety of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
Other UK poppy species
While the common poppy is perhaps the most well-known, other species in the poppy family, Papaveraceae, can be found in the UK, such as:
Welsh Poppy (Papaver cambricum, synonym Meconopsis cambrica)
With bright yellow or orange flowers, the Welsh poppy is a wildflower often found in damp, shady areas, native to Wales and parts of England.
It has become a symbol of Welsh identity, alongside the more familiar daffodil, and has been featured in the logo of the political party Plaid Cymru since 2006.
Sea poppy (Glaucium flavum)
Also called yellow horned-poppy, Glaucium flavum is a striking native coastal plant with beautiful yellow flowers throughout the summer, and long, thin horn-like pods that contain hundreds of seeds.
Sea-poppy is a protected species has adapted to the dry, salty, conditions on the coast, where few other plants can survive. It is an important community member of vegetated shingle, a rare and fragile coastal habitat of global significance.
Sea-poppy is toxic and produces a smelly yellow sap if cut open. It has been associated with witches, and is referenced by Ben Johnson in his poem 'The Witches' Song' (from Masque of Queens, 1609)
More about wildflowers
