PAPAVER RHOEAS: ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, REPRODUCTION - BIOLOGY - 2025

Papaver rhoeas is a species of wild herbaceous plant belonging to the Papaveraceae family. Known as abadol, red poppy, amapol or ordinária papoula, it is an annual plant with an erect and hairy stem that does not reach more than half a meter in height.

It is characterized by its ephemeral flowers with four deep red lobed petals, which appear in early spring. In the center of the flower the fruit develops, which later transforms into the pale green poriferous seminal capsule.

Papaver rhoeas. Source: pixabay.com

It is a subcosmopolitan species that grows on dry, low fertility soils, in lands intervened by man under weed or ruderal conditions. It is located on the edge of roads and urban areas, as well as in fallows, annual crops plantations and gardens.

Although its leaves are slightly toxic, the seeds are harmless and are used as a dressing and in pastry. Its essential bioactive principle is the alkaloid, known as rhoeadine with a partially sedative effect, which, unlike Papaver somniferum, does not contain morphine.

Red poppy is widely used in traditional medicine due to the presence of various active principles that provide beneficial properties. Flowers and fruits contain anthocyanins that give the petals their coloration, and alkaloids such as rhoeadine or readin with sedative, antispasmodic and slightly hypnotic action.

Similarly, it contains mucilages with antitussive and emollient effects and flavonoids with decongestant action that favors lymphatic drainage. The species Papaver rhoeas does not have psychotropic effects, but the decoction of the plant has valuable neuroleptic or antipsychotic properties.

Evolutionary origin

Despite the uncertain origin of the species, it is currently a plant widely distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa. This fact shows that the possible origin of the red poppy is located in these geographical regions of the planet.

General characteristics

Appearance

The Papaver rhoeas species is a herbaceous plant with an annual cycle that can reach 50 cm in height. It is characterized by a thin, erect and little branched stem, finely covered by a short and dense hair.

Leaves

The compound leaves with numerous lobes of toothed margins are arranged alternately along the stem. They lack a petiole, have a single central rib, are green and their central lobe is longer than the lateral ones.

Flowers of Papaver rhoeas. Source: pixabay.com

flowers

The hermaphroditic and solitary flowers have four very bright red bell-shaped petals and two hairy sepals. They are actinomorphic or with two planes of symmetry, they measure 5-6 cm in diameter and present certain dark spots in the basal portion.

The numerous stamens with dark-colored anthers are arranged as a ringed cluster around the stigma, forming a kind of black button. Flowering occurs in a specific period, from June to July, specifically at the end of spring or the first days of summer.

Fruit

The fruit is a dehiscent unilocular capsule, oval in shape and pale green, containing numerous seeds. The millimeter seeds, kidney-shaped, oily consistency and brown in color, tend to be released through the pores that open at the top.

Chemical composition

In phytochemical analysis, it has allowed to determine the presence of isoquinolinic alkaloids, such as allotropin, berberine, coptisin, coulteropin, isochorhidine, isorhoeadine protopine, rhoeadine, rhoeagenine, roemerin and sinactin. Similarly, certain non-alkaloid secondary metabolites, such as cyanine and cyanidin anthocyanins, or cyanidol that gives the petals their color.

On the other hand, the presence of flavonoids, mucilages and pigments, such as papaveric acid or rhoeadic acid, is common. The main alkaloid present in the species P. rhoeas is rhoeadine or readin, but it does not contain morphine as in P. somniferum. The seeds are oleaginous in nature.

Fruits of Papaver rhoeas. Source: Rasbak

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Phylum: Tracheophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Subclass: Magnoliidae

- Order: Ranunculales

- Family: Papaveraceae

- Subfamily: Papaveroideae

- Tribe: Papavereae

- Genus: Papaver

- Species: Papaver rhoeas L.

Etymology

- Papaver: in the name of the genus it comes from the Latin term «păpāvĕr, vĕris», used to designate the poppy.

- rhoeas: the specific adjective derives from Latin to designate the «red poppy».

Infraspecific taxon

- Papaver rhoeas subsp. polytrichum (Boiss. & Kotschy) J. Thiebaut

- Papaver rhoeas subsp. rhoeas

- Papaver rhoeas subsp. strigosum (Boenn.) S. Pignatti

- Papaver rhoeas var. Himerense Raimondo & Spadaro

Synonymy

- Papaver agrivagum Jord.

- Papaver caudatifolium Timb. - Lagr.

- P. dodonaei Timb. - Lagr.

- P. fuchsii Timb. - Lagr.

- Papaver intermedium Beck

- Papaver roubiaei Vig.

- P. strigosum (Boenn.) Schur

- P. uniflorum Balb. ex Spenn.

- Papaver arvaticum Jord.

- Papaver arvense Salisb.

- P. atropurpureum Gilib.

- P. commutatum Fisch., CA Mey. & Trautv.

- Papaver erraticum Gray

- Papaver insignitum Jord.

- P. syriacum Boiss. & Blanche

- P. tenuissimum Fedde

- Papaver trilobum Wallr.

- Papaver tumidulum Klokov

- P. umbrosum auct.

Flower bud and hair shaft of Papaver rhoeas. Source: Alvesgaspar

Habitat and distribution

Its natural habitat is located outside of vacant land, agricultural areas, cereal fields, savannas and intervened or fallow land. It is a cosmopolitan plant of wild nature, cultivated as an ornamental, which under certain conditions can become a weed in cultivated fields.

It normally grows on dry soils of low fertility, basic pH, fields with flat topography and altitudes below 1,900 meters above sea level. It is a subcosmopolitan species, geographically distributed throughout Eurasia and North Africa, including Japan and the Macaronesian Islands.

In the Iberian Peninsula it is located in all the provinces of Spain and Portugal, being scarce in the Atlantic slope and in mountain areas. It is a common plant in the Murcia region, both in the interior and the coastal strip, but is absent at medium levels or in high mountains.

Reproduction

The pollination of the red poppy is carried out with the intervention of insects, it is the so-called zoophilic pollination, carried out mainly by bees and bumblebees. After pollination, the flower turns into a particular fruit that contains the seeds. These are released at 3-4 weeks once mature.

The propagation and germination of the seeds on an appropriate substrate, allows the development of red poppy plants in the wild. If conditions are not right, the seeds can remain dormant in the field until they receive adequate humidity and temperature.

Indeed, red poppy seeds require high humidity and soil temperature to initiate the germination process. The life cycle of the species, from germination to fruit production, is approximately 90 days.

Cultivation of red poppies (Papaver rhoeas). Source: pixabay.com

Requirements

Its plantation has been associated with agricultural production since ancient times, because its life cycle is similar to most commercial crops. However, its production is restricted by the conditions of the soil, humidity and temperature.

The red poppy is a plant that grows best on dry, low fertility soils and in full sun exposure. Although, semi-shaded grounds are feasible, as long as you receive direct radiation during the morning or late afternoon.

It is an undemanding crop in terms of humidity, which is why it is susceptible to poorly drained and flooded soils. Depending on the environmental conditions and the type of soil, it is advisable to apply one or two irrigations a week, avoiding flooding the land.

Cultivated as an ornamental it prefers poor soils, during its life cycle it does not require applications of organic fertilizers or chemical fertilizers. It is a plant that multiplies by seed, it does not tolerate transplantation, so it is recommended to plant the seed directly on the final site.

Flowering occurs at the beginning of spring, fruiting occurs in mid-May and its biological cycle ends in June. Some varieties have the ability to extend their cycle, prolonging flowering until mid-summer.

Nutrition

The species Papaver rhoeas known as red poppy is widely used in pharmacology due to its active components: alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids and mucilages. In fact, its nutritional quality is supported by the presence of various mineral elements, fatty acids, essential amino acids, and bioactive or phytochemical compounds.

The petals, the fruit or capsules and the seeds are generally used, which are used as raw material for the preparation of infusions, tinctures or syrups. The phytochemical analysis has confirmed the high nutritional and functional value of Papaver rhoeas, significant values ​​of antioxidant compounds, proteins and minerals such as calcium, nitrogen, manganese and zinc are reported.

Papaver rhoeas seedling. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Properties

The different bioactive principles and phytochemical elements present in the red poppy, used correctly, can generate various health benefits. These benefits include the regulation of blood pressure, stimulation of the immune system, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant effects.

The flower petals have pharmacological properties, being used for therapeutic purposes to alleviate respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, pneumonia or dry cough. Likewise, it is effective in healing skin conditions or rashes, as well as neurotic disorders related to depression, anxiety or lack of sleep.

Its properties include a sedative and spasmolytic effect, being effective in relieving dry and persistent cough of allergic origin. It also has a favorable effect on respiratory tract conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia.

On the other hand, it has an effective antiseptic effect to clean, disinfect and heal open wounds. In addition, the application in patients with conjunctivitis, allows to quickly reduce inflammation of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid.

It is a species that contains hypnotic and sedative active ingredients used to combat insomnia and calm the nerves. Consequently, its consumption helps to relax the body, calm anxiety and obtain a peaceful sleep in states of emotional stress.

Papaver rhoeas seeds. Source: Venividi

Applications

The traditional use of Papaver rhoeas is very wide, this includes human and animal consumption, therapeutic or medicinal, artisanal, painting and cosmetology. In fact, the young leaves and the fresh basal rosette can be consumed as greens or salad dressing.

The leaves are slightly toxic to herbivores, but when cooked they lose their poisonous properties, being very palatable due to their particular flavor. However, due to the high content of alkaloids it has a sedative effect, which is why its consumption has declined in many regions in southern Europe.

Flower buds are used as a flavoring in the manufacture of traditional alcoholic beverages. The seeds, high in fat, calcium and antioxidants, are used as a condiment and preservative in gastronomy; They are also used for decoration in pastries.

Similarly, the small dry and hard seeds are used to craft percussion musical instruments. In animal feed it is used as a dietary supplement, the entire plant is harvested as fresh or dry forage.

In addition, it contains glycosidic pigments, anthocyanidin and anthocyanin, which are used as additives in the cosmetics, perfumery, paint and cleaning products industry. Likewise, it contains the pigment mecocyanin that easily stains solutions, being used to color medicinal preparations, potions and syrups.

In herbalism and traditional medicine, extracts of red poppy have been used in an artisanal way for the treatment of different disorders and diseases. Papaver rhoeas has antispasmodic, emollient, sedative and narcotic effects, making it effective in relieving diarrhea, sleep disorders, inflammation and coughing.

Illustration of Papaver rhoeas. Source: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen

Contraindications

Used in the recommended dose, it does not present toxicity, side effects or contraindications. However, since there are no scientific references on its effects, it is not recommended for use in pregnant or lactating women.

There are references of intoxication due to frequent consumption of Papaver rhoeas, where alteration of the central nervous system, nausea, vomiting and seizures are reported. Indeed, its excessive consumption can cause pain and intestinal discomfort.

The consumption of medicinal plants with caution is advised, without increasing the recommended dose.

References

1. Dogan, G., & Bagcı, E. (2014). Essential oil composition of Papaver rhoeas L. (corn poppy) (Papaveraceae) from Turkey. Hacettepe Journal of Biology and Chemistry, 42 (4), 545-549.
2. Espinoza, G. (2018) Red poppy, Papaver rhoeas. Nature Paradais Sphynx. Recovered in: Naturaleza.paradais-sphynx.com
3. Huerta García, J. (2007). Poppy - Papaver roheas L. Naturist Medicine, No. 11: 50-55. ISSN: 1576-3080.
4. Papaver rhoeas L. (2019) Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. Recovered at: catalogueoflife.org
5. Papaver rhoeas. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
6. Papaver rhoeas L. (Papaveraceae) (2019) Herbarium. Recovered in: Plantasyhongos.es
7. Robledo Vinagre, José Manuel (2013) The poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.). Recovered at: sierradegatadigital.opennemas.com