1909.] A Common Weed— The Poppy. 2; 



bearing segments arranged on each side of a common midrib. 

 The stems exude a milky juice when bruised or cut. The 

 flowers are some three inches or more in diameter and scarlet 

 in colour. In P. Rhceas (Common Red Poppy), the seed 

 capsule is not much longer than it is broad, while in P. 

 dubitim (Long Smooth-headed Poppy) it is more than twice 

 as long as it is broad. In each case the capsule is smooth, 

 The seeds are produced in large numbers (10,000 to 50,000 by 

 one plant), and being very small they may, on escaping from 

 the capsule, be blown considerable distances by the wind. 

 They are, moreover, of an oily character, and may retain their 

 vitality when buried in the soil for some years, germinating 

 and producing mature plants when brought to the surface 

 under favourable conditions. It is stated in English Botany 

 in regard to P. Rhceas that " the seeds remain underground, 

 retaining their vegetative powers for a long time, and furnish- 

 ing a fresh crop of poppies whenever the earth is turned 

 over." It is therefore clear that the eradication of the poppy 

 is a difficult matter. 



Poppies pass under a variety of names, and Dr. A. B. 

 Smith enumerates the following common names for P. 

 Rhceas : — Corn poppy, Corn flower, Corn Rose, Canker rose, 

 Cock rose, Cop rose, Copper rose, Blind eyes, Headache, Red 

 weed. 



Distribution, — The species of Pap aver are now of almost 

 world-wide distribution, and one or other of the five species 

 mentioned above occurs in Europe, Asia, and North 

 Africa, while two or three of these species have been intro- 

 duced into America. P. Rhceas occurs throughout the 

 southern and midland counties of England, in Ireland and 

 the Channel Islands, but, according to Hooker, is rare north 

 of the Tay. P. dubium, on the other hand, is, according to 

 the same authority, found in Britain north to the Shetland 

 Islands, and also in Ireland and the Channel Islands. 



Both these species are common weeds of cornfields and 

 waste places. Although they are most commonly found on 

 light, dry, sandy and gravelly soils, they nevertheless flourish 

 even on heavy wheat land, though not to the same extent as 

 on the lighter soils, such as barley land. 



Life History. — While poppies have in some cases been 



