Arctic Poppy, Icelandic poppy

Papaver nudicaule

Physical Characteristics

Papaver nudicaule is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September, and the seeds ripen from June to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Northern sub-arctic regions.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Edible Uses: Leaves - cooked[2]. Very agreeable to the taste, the leaves are a good source of vitamin C[2]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Seed - raw or cooked. Oleaginous and antiscorbutic, the seed is very agreeable to the taste[2]. It contains some opium[61]. Caution is advised, see note at top of page.

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Antiscorbutic Diaphoretic Vitamin C Anodyne, antiscorbutic[2, 61]. The flowers and seed capsules are mildly diaphoretic[240].

Known Hazards

This plant is toxic to mammals, though the toxicity is low[76].