opium poppy

a smooth, glaucous annual, to 120cm, with heart-shaped leaves, the upper ones clasping the stem and with toothed, wavy margins. The wide-open flowers have large petals surrounding a green, urn-shaped capsule with a flat cap, and many dark purple or yellow stamens. The capsule enlarges after flowering and makes a decorative cut flower fresh or dried. Colour is variable, often white or mauve, but garden selections may be in many shades of red, pink, purple and near black. Double and laciniate forms are widely available