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| IMG_7529 [Papaver rhoeas] |
Every spring, the bright red flowers of Papaver rhoeas,
or “The common poppy” as it is widely known,
bring color to fields, roadsides, and open ground across much of Europe.
It is one of the continent's most widespread wildflowers.
In Greece,
its vivid flowers are a familiar sight especially at low elevations.
Although the common poppy still thrives in many places,
it has become less abundant in cultivated fields
because it is often treated as a weed
and controlled with herbicides.
Even so,
its brilliant flowers continue to be
one of the most memorable signs of spring and early summer.
This annual plant grows up to 60 cm tall,
blooms from March to June
and produces a vibrant poppy flower of 50–60 mm across.
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| 301_9533 [Papaver rhoeas] |
Despite its predominant red color,
the poppy bloom may appear in various shades of red.
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| IMG_0085 [Papaver rhoeas] |
Each bloom has four silky red petals
which often have a black patch at the base.
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IMG_7550 [Papaver rhoeas] |
The black patch is sometimes edged with white.
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| 801_4362 [Papaver rhoeas] |
After flowering,
the blossom develops a spherical seed capsule
with eight to thirteen stigmatic rays.
