Icelandic Poppy

Papaver nudicaule Origin: Poland Improvement status: Wild Seeds per packet: ~200 BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED Life cycle: Perennial or Biennial Native to northern Europe and North America (though not actually to Iceland!), this boreal poppy has delicate flowers ranging from white to yellow to orange to pink to red. It's often grown as an annual, but can be a short-lived perennial. Icelandic poppies are toxic, but have also been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions, including respiratory problems, sleeplessness, and pain. One study found that extracts from the plant may have anti-inflammatory properties. Red and beige dyes can be obtained from the flowers, while the pods can yield yellow and brown dyes. Hardy to USDA Zones 2 to 8.GROWING TIPS: Best sown in fall, winter, or very early spring. Surface sow, as they require light to germinate. Can start in flats for transplanting. NOTE: The photo of a field of Icelandic poppies (in Tokyo) is from M. Takashi and is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. The rest are in the public domain.