Corn Poppy is an annual herbaceous species of flowering plant in the poppy family native to Europe and Asia. Red blooms last only a day but are numerous in spring and again in fall. Cultivars are available in other colors. They are best grown in fertile well-drained soils in cool summer climates. Use in a non-native naturalized area and sow seeds successfully for a longer bloom season. More information on Papaver .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
6 inch hairy, coarsely-toothed leaves
Flower color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup; Saucer
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Single flowers that are large and showy, 2–4 in across, with four crinkly petals that are vivid red, most commonly with a black spot at their base. Bloom time is spring and fall. They work well as a cut flower if the end of the stem is burned with a match immediately after cutting.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Seed pods
Stem detail
The flower stem is usually covered with coarse hairs that are held at right angles to the surface. Exudes white to yellowish latex when the tissues are broken