Borne on very hairy stems which can reach 80cm high, the deep scarlet, dark-centred flowers of these June to August flowering wayside flowers only last one day. This poppy has four overlapping, papery petals which have a crumpled, silky appearance. These petals are frequently darker nearer the centre of the flower and the poppy's anthers are a deep blue-black colour. The deep-green leaves are toothed and lobed. Also known as Poipín and Corn Poppy, these flowers grow along roadways, in cornfields and on waste ground. They were possibly introduced into Ireland and belong to the family Papaveraceae.
I first identified this flower in 1973 in Bray, Co Wicklow and photographed it in Ballitore, Co Kildare in 2003.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
