Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 507 (1753).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Field (or corn or common red) poppy.

Description:
Dense basal rosette with the erect inflorescence sometimes becoming somewhat branched with several flowers so that the plant is a shrub to 50 cm high, covered with soft spreading hairs; basal leaves with a petiole 1-3 cm long, 5-15 cm long, irregularly pinnatisect with lobes usually irregularly toothed; cauline leaves more or less sessile, ovate, with 3 rarely 5 main lobes.

Pedicels covered with hairs spreading at about right angles; sepals covered with fine at least somewhat spreading hairs; petals scarlet to crimson, with or without a black basal spot.

Capsule obovate and less than twice as long as broad; seeds dark-brown to black, with a reticulately patterned surface.

	Papaver rhoeas
Image source: fig 204e in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Ross-Craig (1948) Drawings Brit. Pl. 2:pl. 5.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: FR, MU, SL, KI, SE.   Naturalised in all States.   Widespread mainly in temperate Europe; south-east Asia; Africa. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Sept. — Dec.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: As found by Meikle (1977) Fl. Cyprus 1:75, it is difficult to distinguish all specimens of var. oblongatum Boiss. by the attenuate base of their capsule from the typical variety and the S.Aust. material is therefore not referred to a variety.

Author: Not yet available